Ham Lake, MN vs International Falls, MN

The cost of living difference between Ham Lake, MN and International Falls, MN is dramatic. International Falls is 78% cheaper than Ham Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ham Lake has a cost index of 112 while International Falls sits at 63, 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 Ham Lake is $1,319/month compared to $753/month in International Falls — a 75% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: International Falls is more affordable at $115,000 median vs $430,100.

Median household income in Ham Lake is $116,845 compared to $61,043 in International Falls (+91.4%). While Ham Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ham Lake spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in International Falls.

Climate-wise, Ham Lake is notably warmer with an average of 45.8°F compared to 37.4°F in International Falls. Ham Lake receives more rainfall at 30.7" per year compared to 25.4" in International Falls.