Ellendale, MN vs Mountain Lake, MN

Ellendale, MN and Mountain Lake, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Ellendale scores 71 while Mountain Lake scores 69 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 Ellendale is $820/month compared to $833/month in Mountain Lake — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ellendale has cheaper rent, Mountain Lake actually has lower median home values ($118,900 vs $150,000).

Median household income in Ellendale is $80,417 compared to $59,115 in Mountain Lake (+36%). While Ellendale is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellendale spend roughly 12.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in Mountain Lake.