Grand Rapids, MN vs Park Rapids, MN

Grand Rapids, MN and Park Rapids, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Grand Rapids scores 80 while Park Rapids scores 79 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Grand Rapids is $999/month compared to $912/month in Park Rapids — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Park Rapids has cheaper rent, Grand Rapids actually has lower median home values ($200,600 vs $218,500).

Median household income in Grand Rapids is $56,542 compared to $45,800 in Park Rapids (+23.5%). While Grand Rapids 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 Rapids spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Park Rapids.

Climate-wise, Park Rapids is notably warmer with an average of 40.4°F compared to 36.9°F in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 23.9" in Park Rapids.