Hawley, MN vs Marine on St. Croix, MN

The cost of living difference between Hawley, MN and Marine on St. Croix, MN is dramatic. Hawley is 46.6% cheaper than Marine on St. Croix, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hawley has a cost index of 75 while Marine on St. Croix sits at 141, 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 $2,200/month in Marine on St. Croix — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hawley is more affordable at $265,500 median vs $464,100.

Median household income in Hawley is $92,017 compared to $123,750 in Marine on St. Croix (-25.6%). The higher salaries in Marine on St. Croix partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hawley spend roughly 9.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Marine on St. Croix.

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