Oakdale, MN vs St. Cloud, MN

The cost of living difference between Oakdale, MN and St. Cloud, MN is dramatic. St. Cloud is 33.4% cheaper than Oakdale, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oakdale has a cost index of 106 while St. Cloud sits at 79, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Oakdale is $1,452/month compared to $1,005/month in St. Cloud — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Cloud is more affordable at $212,800 median vs $305,900.

Median household income in Oakdale is $90,379 compared to $61,112 in St. Cloud (+47.9%). While Oakdale is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Oakdale spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in St. Cloud.

Climate-wise, Oakdale is notably warmer with an average of 46.5°F compared to 42.9°F in St. Cloud. Oakdale receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 28.5" in St. Cloud.