Howard Lake, MN vs La Crescent, MN

Howard Lake, MN and La Crescent, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Howard Lake scores 84 while La Crescent scores 84 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 Howard Lake is $930/month compared to $1,059/month in La Crescent — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Howard Lake is more affordable at $239,100 median vs $244,500.

Median household income in Howard Lake is $99,464 compared to $82,109 in La Crescent (+21.1%). While Howard Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Howard Lake spend roughly 11.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in La Crescent.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.7°F vs 48.8°F). La Crescent receives more rainfall at 35.2" per year compared to 30.6" in Howard Lake.