Houston, MN vs Sandstone, MN

Houston is moderately more affordable than Sandstone, with a 8.8% lower cost of living index. Houston scores 69 compared to 76 for Sandstone, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sandstone can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Houston is $815/month compared to $1,011/month in Sandstone — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Houston has cheaper rent, Sandstone actually has lower median home values ($137,500 vs $152,100).

Median household income in Houston is $50,667 compared to $50,288 in Sandstone (+0.8%). Houston 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, less than the 24.1% in Sandstone.

Climate-wise, Houston is notably warmer with an average of 48.8°F compared to 41.4°F in Sandstone. Houston receives more rainfall at 35.2" per year compared to 33.3" in Sandstone.