Ranier, MN vs Waltham, MN

Ranier is moderately more affordable than Waltham, with a 9.1% lower cost of living index. Ranier scores 68 compared to 75 for Waltham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waltham can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ranier is $870/month compared to $1,069/month in Waltham — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ranier has cheaper rent, Waltham actually has lower median home values ($112,500 vs $140,400).

Median household income in Ranier is $81,389 compared to $75,833 in Waltham (+7.3%). Ranier offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ranier spend roughly 12.8% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in Waltham.

Climate-wise, Waltham is notably warmer with an average of 44.8°F compared to 37.4°F in Ranier. Waltham receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 25.4" in Ranier.