Hawley, MN vs Lilydale, MN

The cost of living difference between Hawley, MN and Lilydale, MN is dramatic. Hawley is 46.1% cheaper than Lilydale, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hawley has a cost index of 75 while Lilydale sits at 140, 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 $2,359/month in Lilydale — a 69% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hawley is more affordable at $265,500 median vs $389,300.

Median household income in Hawley is $92,017 compared to $93,393 in Lilydale (-1.5%). Lilydale does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hawley spend roughly 9.7% of their income on rent, less than the 30.3% in Lilydale. The Hawley ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Lilydale is notably warmer with an average of 46.5°F compared to 42.2°F in Hawley. Lilydale receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 24" in Hawley.