Maplewood, MN vs Willmar, MN

The cost of living difference between Maplewood, MN and Willmar, MN is dramatic. Willmar is 35.5% cheaper than Maplewood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Maplewood has a cost index of 100 while Willmar sits at 74, 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 Maplewood is $1,316/month compared to $830/month in Willmar — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Willmar is more affordable at $186,000 median vs $291,300.

Median household income in Maplewood is $88,534 compared to $63,368 in Willmar (+39.7%). While Maplewood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Maplewood spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in Willmar.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.5°F vs 45.4°F). Maplewood receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 28" in Willmar.