Moorhead, MN vs Willmar, MN

Willmar is moderately more affordable than Moorhead, with a 11.1% lower cost of living index. Moorhead scores 82 compared to 74 for Willmar, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Moorhead can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Moorhead is $1,017/month compared to $830/month in Willmar — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Willmar is more affordable at $186,000 median vs $246,300.

Median household income in Moorhead is $69,371 compared to $63,368 in Willmar (+9.5%). The higher salaries in Moorhead partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Moorhead spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in Willmar.

Climate-wise, Willmar is notably warmer with an average of 45.4°F compared to 42.2°F in Moorhead. Willmar receives more rainfall at 28" per year compared to 24" in Moorhead.