Hill City, MN vs Waltham, MN

Hill City is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Hill City scores 69 compared to 75 for Waltham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waltham can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hill City is $878/month compared to $1,069/month in Waltham — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hill City is more affordable at $102,900 median vs $112,500.

Median household income in Hill City is $39,583 compared to $75,833 in Waltham (-47.8%). While Waltham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hill City spend roughly 26.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, Waltham is notably warmer with an average of 44.8°F compared to 36.9°F in Hill City. Waltham receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 24.8" in Hill City.