Elbow Lake, MN vs Upsala, MN

Elbow Lake, MN and Upsala, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Elbow Lake scores 66 while Upsala scores 65 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 Elbow Lake is $746/month compared to $725/month in Upsala — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Upsala has cheaper rent, Elbow Lake actually has lower median home values ($118,900 vs $143,400).

Median household income in Elbow Lake is $56,786 compared to $61,250 in Upsala (-7.3%). Upsala offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elbow Lake spend roughly 15.8% of their income on rent, more than the 14.2% in Upsala.