Howard Lake, MN vs Princeton, MN

Howard Lake, MN and Princeton, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Howard Lake scores 84 while Princeton scores 83 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 $953/month in Princeton — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Howard Lake has cheaper rent, Princeton actually has lower median home values ($212,200 vs $239,100).

Median household income in Howard Lake is $99,464 compared to $52,450 in Princeton (+89.6%). 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 21.8% in Princeton.

Climate-wise, Howard Lake is notably warmer with an average of 46.7°F compared to 42.9°F in Princeton. Howard Lake receives more rainfall at 30.6" per year compared to 28.5" in Princeton.