Paynesville, MN vs Stewartville, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Paynesville is 17% cheaper than Stewartville. With a cost index of 69 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Paynesville to Stewartville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Paynesville is $791/month compared to $975/month in Stewartville — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Paynesville is more affordable at $168,800 median vs $258,000.

Median household income in Paynesville is $72,105 compared to $65,714 in Stewartville (+9.7%). Paynesville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Paynesville spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Stewartville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.9°F vs 44.8°F). Stewartville receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 28.5" in Paynesville.