Karlstad, MN vs Silver Bay, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Karlstad is 18.6% cheaper than Silver Bay. With a cost index of 63 vs 78, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Karlstad to Silver Bay should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Karlstad is $650/month compared to $1,044/month in Silver Bay — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Karlstad is more affordable at $120,300 median vs $150,700.

Median household income in Karlstad is $61,324 compared to $70,870 in Silver Bay (-13.5%). The higher salaries in Silver Bay partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Karlstad spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.7% in Silver Bay.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (37.7°F vs 39.5°F). Silver Bay receives more rainfall at 25.9" per year compared to 24.3" in Karlstad.