Pelican Rapids, MN vs St. Joseph, MN

The cost of living difference between Pelican Rapids, MN and St. Joseph, MN is dramatic. Pelican Rapids is 34.1% cheaper than St. Joseph, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Pelican Rapids has a cost index of 56 while St. Joseph sits at 86, 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 Pelican Rapids is $349/month compared to $1,139/month in St. Joseph — a 69% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pelican Rapids is more affordable at $177,700 median vs $240,300.

Median household income in Pelican Rapids is $65,482 compared to $75,217 in St. Joseph (-12.9%). St. Joseph 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 Pelican Rapids spend roughly 6.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in St. Joseph.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.2°F vs 42.9°F). St. Joseph receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 24" in Pelican Rapids.