Ortonville, MN vs The Lakes, MN

The cost of living difference between Ortonville, MN and The Lakes, MN is dramatic. Ortonville is 38.1% cheaper than The Lakes, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ortonville has a cost index of 65 while The Lakes sits at 106, 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.

When it comes to buying, median home values in Ortonville are $117,500 compared to $391,900 in The Lakes, a 70% gap.

Median household income in Ortonville is $53,021 compared to $88,929 in The Lakes (-40.4%). While The Lakes is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (44°F vs 45.4°F). The Lakes receives more rainfall at 28" per year compared to 22.9" in Ortonville.