Hermantown, MN vs Rice Lake, MN

Rice Lake is moderately more affordable than Hermantown, with a 9.4% lower cost of living index. Hermantown scores 103 compared to 94 for Rice Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hermantown can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hermantown is $1,375/month compared to $1,328/month in Rice Lake — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rice Lake is more affordable at $283,700 median vs $374,000.

Median household income in Hermantown is $92,026 compared to $95,347 in Rice Lake (-3.5%). Rice 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 Hermantown spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Rice Lake.

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