Ham Lake, MN vs Medina, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Ham Lake is 16.5% cheaper than Medina. With a cost index of 112 vs 134, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Ham Lake to Medina should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ham Lake is $1,319/month compared to $1,421/month in Medina — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ham Lake is more affordable at $430,100 median vs $660,800.

Median household income in Ham Lake is $116,845 compared to $219,181 in Medina (-46.7%). While Medina 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, more than the 7.8% in Medina.

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