Ham Lake, MN vs St. Louis Park, MN

Ham Lake, MN and St. Louis Park, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Ham Lake scores 112 while St. Louis Park scores 115 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 Ham Lake is $1,319/month compared to $1,589/month in St. Louis Park — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ham Lake has cheaper rent, St. Louis Park actually has lower median home values ($371,600 vs $430,100).

Median household income in Ham Lake is $116,845 compared to $100,250 in St. Louis Park (+16.6%). Ham Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ham Lake spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in St. Louis Park.

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