Milaca, MN vs Thief River Falls, MN

Thief River Falls is moderately more affordable than Milaca, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Milaca scores 78 compared to 71 for Thief River Falls, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Milaca can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Milaca is $854/month compared to $884/month in Thief River Falls — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Milaca has cheaper rent, Thief River Falls actually has lower median home values ($169,300 vs $184,900).

Median household income in Milaca is $49,063 compared to $65,244 in Thief River Falls (-24.8%). Thief River Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Milaca spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Thief River Falls.

Climate-wise, Milaca is notably warmer with an average of 42.9°F compared to 37.7°F in Thief River Falls. Milaca receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 24.3" in Thief River Falls.