Hermantown, MN vs Perham, MN

The cost of living difference between Hermantown, MN and Perham, MN is dramatic. Perham is 40% cheaper than Hermantown, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hermantown has a cost index of 103 while Perham sits at 74, 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 Hermantown is $1,375/month compared to $813/month in Perham — a 69% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Perham is more affordable at $186,000 median vs $374,000.

Median household income in Hermantown is $92,026 compared to $47,088 in Perham (+95.4%). While Hermantown is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hermantown spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Perham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (40.6°F vs 40.4°F). Hermantown receives more rainfall at 31.2" per year compared to 23.9" in Perham.