Fergus Falls, MN vs Lake City, MN

Fergus Falls is moderately more affordable than Lake City, with a 11.4% lower cost of living index. Fergus Falls scores 73 compared to 83 for Lake City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lake City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fergus Falls is $839/month compared to $1,022/month in Lake City — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fergus Falls is more affordable at $173,300 median vs $234,100.

Median household income in Fergus Falls is $50,865 compared to $76,125 in Lake City (-33.2%). While Lake City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fergus Falls spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16.1% in Lake City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.5°F vs 44.8°F). Lake City receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 24.1" in Fergus Falls.