Ham Lake, MN vs Moorhead, MN

The cost of living difference between Ham Lake, MN and Moorhead, MN is dramatic. Moorhead is 35.9% 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 Moorhead sits at 82, 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 $1,017/month in Moorhead — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Moorhead is more affordable at $246,300 median vs $430,100.

Median household income in Ham Lake is $116,845 compared to $69,371 in Moorhead (+68.4%). 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 17.6% in Moorhead.

Climate-wise, Ham Lake is notably warmer with an average of 45.8°F compared to 42.2°F in Moorhead. Ham Lake receives more rainfall at 30.7" per year compared to 24" in Moorhead.