Ottertail, MN vs Renville, MN

The cost of living difference between Ottertail, MN and Renville, MN is dramatic. Renville is 38% cheaper than Ottertail, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ottertail has a cost index of 87 while Renville sits at 63, 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 Ottertail is $1,047/month compared to $671/month in Renville — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Renville is more affordable at $109,700 median vs $262,500.

Median household income in Ottertail is $83,750 compared to $73,750 in Renville (+13.6%). Ottertail does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Ottertail spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in Renville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.5°F vs 45.4°F). Renville receives more rainfall at 28" per year compared to 24.1" in Ottertail.