Drake, ND vs Elgin, ND

Drake, ND and Elgin, ND have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Drake scores 59 while Elgin scores 60 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Drake is $713/month compared to $649/month in Elgin — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Elgin has cheaper rent, Drake actually has lower median home values ($76,700 vs $111,400).

Median household income in Drake is $46,875 compared to $40,000 in Elgin (+17.2%). Drake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Drake spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.5% in Elgin.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43.4°F vs 42.3°F). Drake receives more rainfall at 16.7" per year compared to 14.3" in Elgin.