Maple Lake, MN vs Walnut Grove, MN

The cost of living difference between Maple Lake, MN and Walnut Grove, MN is dramatic. Walnut Grove is 37.4% cheaper than Maple Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Maple Lake has a cost index of 79 while Walnut Grove sits at 58, 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 Maple Lake is $811/month compared to $575/month in Walnut Grove — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Walnut Grove is more affordable at $81,000 median vs $221,800.

Median household income in Maple Lake is $75,469 compared to $59,583 in Walnut Grove (+26.7%). The higher salaries in Maple Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Maple Lake spend roughly 12.9% of their income on rent, more than the 11.6% in Walnut Grove.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.9°F vs 45.4°F). Maple Lake receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 28" in Walnut Grove.