Oakdale, MN vs St. Peter, MN

The cost of living difference between Oakdale, MN and St. Peter, MN is dramatic. St. Peter is 34% 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. Peter 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 $943/month in St. Peter — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Peter is more affordable at $238,700 median vs $305,900.

Median household income in Oakdale is $90,379 compared to $65,042 in St. Peter (+39%). 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, more than the 17.4% in St. Peter.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.5°F vs 46.7°F). St. Peter receives more rainfall at 30.6" per year compared to 29.2" in Oakdale.