Lake Elmo, MN vs Oakdale, MN

The cost of living difference between Lake Elmo, MN and Oakdale, MN is dramatic. Oakdale is 43.6% cheaper than Lake Elmo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lake Elmo has a cost index of 152 while Oakdale sits at 106, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lake Elmo is $2,204/month compared to $1,452/month in Oakdale — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oakdale is more affordable at $305,900 median vs $588,900.

Median household income in Lake Elmo is $153,407 compared to $90,379 in Oakdale (+69.7%). While Lake Elmo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Elmo spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in Oakdale.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.5°F vs 46.5°F). Oakdale receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 29.2" in Lake Elmo.