Fergus Falls, MN vs St. James, MN

St. James is moderately more affordable than Fergus Falls, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Fergus Falls scores 73 compared to 67 for St. James, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fergus Falls 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 $805/month in St. James — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. James is more affordable at $109,600 median vs $173,300.

Median household income in Fergus Falls is $50,865 compared to $57,031 in St. James (-10.8%). St. James offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fergus Falls spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in St. James.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.5°F vs 44.6°F). St. James receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 24.1" in Fergus Falls.