Houston, MN vs Lake Crystal, MN

Houston, MN and Lake Crystal, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Houston scores 69 while Lake Crystal scores 66 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Houston is $815/month compared to $644/month in Lake Crystal — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Crystal has cheaper rent, Houston actually has lower median home values ($152,100 vs $193,800).

Median household income in Houston is $50,667 compared to $77,979 in Lake Crystal (-35%). Lake Crystal offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Houston spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, more than the 9.9% in Lake Crystal.

Climate-wise, Houston is notably warmer with an average of 48.8°F compared to 45.4°F in Lake Crystal. Houston receives more rainfall at 35.2" per year compared to 28" in Lake Crystal.