Grand Marais, MN vs Halstad, MN

The cost of living difference between Grand Marais, MN and Halstad, MN is dramatic. Halstad is 37% cheaper than Grand Marais, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Grand Marais has a cost index of 88 while Halstad sits at 64, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Grand Marais is $1,013/month compared to $690/month in Halstad — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Halstad is more affordable at $114,800 median vs $283,700.

Median household income in Grand Marais is $73,846 compared to $67,857 in Halstad (+8.8%). Grand Marais 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 Grand Marais spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.2% in Halstad.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (39.5°F vs 42.2°F). Grand Marais receives more rainfall at 25.9" per year compared to 24" in Halstad.