Red Lake, MN vs Sturgeon Lake, MN
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Red Lake is 25.7% cheaper than Sturgeon Lake. With a cost index of 58 vs 78, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Red Lake to Sturgeon Lake should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Red Lake is $426/month compared to $1,038/month in Sturgeon Lake — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Lake is more affordable at $136,000 median vs $190,600.
Median household income in Red Lake is $55,092 compared to $77,500 in Sturgeon Lake (-28.9%). While Sturgeon 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 16.1% in Sturgeon Lake.
Climate-wise, Sturgeon Lake is notably warmer with an average of 41.4°F compared to 37.7°F in Red Lake. Sturgeon Lake receives more rainfall at 33.3" per year compared to 24.3" in Red Lake.
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)