Milaca, MN vs Waite Park, MN

Milaca, MN and Waite Park, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Milaca scores 78 while Waite Park scores 82 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Milaca is $854/month compared to $1,072/month in Waite Park — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Milaca is more affordable at $184,900 median vs $217,000.

Median household income in Milaca is $49,063 compared to $56,884 in Waite Park (-13.7%). While Waite Park is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Milaca spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Waite Park.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.9°F vs 42.9°F). Waite Park receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 28.5" in Milaca.