Foreston, MN vs Hawley, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hawley is 22.2% cheaper than Foreston. With a cost index of 75 vs 92, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hawley to Foreston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Foreston is $1,167/month compared to $742/month in Hawley — a 57% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hawley has cheaper rent, Foreston actually has lower median home values ($247,900 vs $265,500).

Median household income in Foreston is $94,219 compared to $92,017 in Hawley (+2.4%). Foreston does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Foreston spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, more than the 9.7% in Hawley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.9°F vs 42.2°F). Foreston receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 24" in Hawley.