Lake Crystal, MN vs Stewartville, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lake Crystal is 20.6% cheaper than Stewartville. With a cost index of 66 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lake Crystal to Stewartville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lake Crystal is $644/month compared to $975/month in Stewartville — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Crystal is more affordable at $193,800 median vs $258,000.

Median household income in Lake Crystal is $77,979 compared to $65,714 in Stewartville (+18.7%). 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 Lake Crystal spend roughly 9.9% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Stewartville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.4°F vs 44.8°F). Stewartville receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 28" in Lake Crystal.