Hawley, MN vs Lake Benton, MN

The cost of living difference between Hawley, MN and Lake Benton, MN is dramatic. Lake Benton is 30.5% cheaper than Hawley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hawley has a cost index of 75 while Lake Benton sits at 58, 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 Hawley is $742/month compared to $550/month in Lake Benton — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Benton is more affordable at $91,900 median vs $265,500.

Median household income in Hawley is $92,017 compared to $52,000 in Lake Benton (+77%). While Hawley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hawley spend roughly 9.7% of their income on rent, less than the 12.7% in Lake Benton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.2°F vs 45.1°F). Lake Benton receives more rainfall at 29.6" per year compared to 24" in Hawley.