Red Lake, MN vs Wadena, MN

Red Lake is moderately more affordable than Wadena, with a 14.3% lower cost of living index. Red Lake scores 58 compared to 67 for Wadena, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wadena can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Red Lake is $426/month compared to $683/month in Wadena — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Lake is more affordable at $136,000 median vs $158,700.

Median household income in Red Lake is $55,092 compared to $45,850 in Wadena (+20.2%). Red Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Red Lake spend roughly 9.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Wadena.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (37.7°F vs 40.4°F). Red Lake receives more rainfall at 24.3" per year compared to 23.9" in Wadena.