Moorhead, MN vs St. Cloud, MN

Moorhead, MN and St. Cloud, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Moorhead scores 82 while St. Cloud scores 79 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 Moorhead is $1,017/month compared to $1,005/month in St. Cloud — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Cloud is more affordable at $212,800 median vs $246,300.

Median household income in Moorhead is $69,371 compared to $61,112 in St. Cloud (+13.5%). While Moorhead is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Moorhead spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in St. Cloud.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.2°F vs 42.9°F). St. Cloud receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 24" in Moorhead.