Renville, MN vs Rice Lake, MN

The cost of living difference between Renville, MN and Rice Lake, MN is dramatic. Renville is 33.1% cheaper than Rice Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Renville has a cost index of 63 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 Renville is $671/month compared to $1,328/month in Rice Lake — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Renville is more affordable at $109,700 median vs $283,700.

Median household income in Renville is $73,750 compared to $95,347 in Rice Lake (-22.7%). The higher salaries in Rice Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Renville spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.7% in Rice Lake.

Climate-wise, Renville is notably warmer with an average of 45.4°F compared to 40.6°F in Rice Lake. Rice Lake receives more rainfall at 31.2" per year compared to 28" in Renville.