Red Lake, MN vs Rice Lake, MN

The cost of living difference between Red Lake, MN and Rice Lake, MN is dramatic. Red Lake is 38.7% cheaper than Rice Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Red Lake has a cost index of 58 while Rice Lake sits at 94, 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 Red Lake is $426/month compared to $1,328/month in Rice Lake — a 68% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Lake is more affordable at $136,000 median vs $283,700.

Median household income in Red Lake is $55,092 compared to $95,347 in Rice Lake (-42.2%). While Rice Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Red Lake spend roughly 9.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Rice Lake.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (37.7°F vs 40.6°F). Rice Lake receives more rainfall at 31.2" per year compared to 24.3" in Red Lake.