Grand Marais, MN vs Motley, MN

The cost of living difference between Grand Marais, MN and Motley, MN is dramatic. Motley is 36.5% 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 Motley 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 $661/month in Motley — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Motley is more affordable at $128,300 median vs $283,700.

Median household income in Grand Marais is $73,846 compared to $43,281 in Motley (+70.6%). While Grand Marais is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grand Marais spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Motley.

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 24.5" in Motley.