Ham Lake, MN vs Mankato, MN

The cost of living difference between Ham Lake, MN and Mankato, MN is dramatic. Mankato is 32.7% 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 Mankato sits at 84, 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 $1,089/month in Mankato — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mankato is more affordable at $250,600 median vs $430,100.

Median household income in Ham Lake is $116,845 compared to $64,826 in Mankato (+80.2%). 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 20.2% in Mankato.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.8°F vs 46.7°F). Ham Lake receives more rainfall at 30.7" per year compared to 30.6" in Mankato.