Lakefield, MN vs St. James, MN

Lakefield, MN and St. James, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Lakefield scores 69 while St. James scores 67 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 Lakefield is $867/month compared to $805/month in St. James — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. James is more affordable at $109,600 median vs $115,900.

Median household income in Lakefield is $62,656 compared to $57,031 in St. James (+9.9%). While Lakefield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakefield spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in St. James.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44.6°F vs 44.6°F). St. James receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Lakefield.