Perham, MN vs Waseca, MN

Perham, MN and Waseca, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Perham scores 74 while Waseca scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Perham is $813/month compared to $796/month in Waseca — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waseca is more affordable at $185,600 median vs $186,000.

Median household income in Perham is $47,088 compared to $61,546 in Waseca (-23.5%). Waseca offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Perham spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Waseca.

Climate-wise, Waseca is notably warmer with an average of 44.8°F compared to 40.4°F in Perham. Waseca receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 23.9" in Perham.