Lakeville, MN vs St. Cloud, MN

The cost of living difference between Lakeville, MN and St. Cloud, MN is dramatic. St. Cloud is 56.3% cheaper than Lakeville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lakeville has a cost index of 124 while St. Cloud sits at 79, 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 Lakeville is $1,727/month compared to $1,005/month in St. Cloud — a 72% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Cloud is more affordable at $212,800 median vs $425,200.

Median household income in Lakeville is $138,119 compared to $61,112 in St. Cloud (+126%). While Lakeville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakeville spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in St. Cloud.

Climate-wise, Lakeville is notably warmer with an average of 46.9°F compared to 42.9°F in St. Cloud. Lakeville receives more rainfall at 31.6" per year compared to 28.5" in St. Cloud.