Sauk Rapids, MN vs St. James, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. James is 18.6% cheaper than Sauk Rapids. With a cost index of 67 vs 79, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. James to Sauk Rapids should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Sauk Rapids is $941/month compared to $805/month in St. James — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. James is more affordable at $109,600 median vs $240,200.

Median household income in Sauk Rapids is $67,004 compared to $57,031 in St. James (+17.5%). The higher salaries in Sauk Rapids partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Sauk Rapids spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in St. James.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.9°F vs 44.6°F). St. James receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 28.5" in Sauk Rapids.