Lutsen, MN vs St. Stephen, MN

St. Stephen is moderately more affordable than Lutsen, with a 13.4% lower cost of living index. Lutsen scores 93 compared to 82 for St. Stephen, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lutsen can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lutsen is $1,013/month compared to $1,025/month in St. Stephen — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lutsen has cheaper rent, St. Stephen actually has lower median home values ($237,600 vs $347,500).

Median household income in Lutsen is $78,750 compared to $94,875 in St. Stephen (-17%). St. Stephen offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lutsen spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, more than the 13% in St. Stephen.

Climate-wise, St. Stephen is notably warmer with an average of 42.9°F compared to 39.5°F in Lutsen. St. Stephen receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 25.9" in Lutsen.