Melrose, MN vs Waseca, MN

Waseca is moderately more affordable than Melrose, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Melrose scores 80 compared to 73 for Waseca, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Melrose can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Melrose is $1,061/month compared to $796/month in Waseca — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waseca is more affordable at $185,600 median vs $198,300.

Median household income in Melrose is $58,107 compared to $61,546 in Waseca (-5.6%). Waseca offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Melrose spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Waseca.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.5°F vs 44.8°F). Waseca receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 24.1" in Melrose.