Goodhue, MN vs Melrose, MN

Goodhue is moderately more affordable than Melrose, with a 6% lower cost of living index. Goodhue scores 75 compared to 80 for Melrose, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Melrose can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Goodhue is $775/month compared to $1,061/month in Melrose — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Goodhue has cheaper rent, Melrose actually has lower median home values ($198,300 vs $230,300).

Median household income in Goodhue is $86,731 compared to $58,107 in Melrose (+49.3%). Goodhue offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Goodhue spend roughly 10.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Melrose.

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