Squaw Lake, MN vs Upsala, MN

Squaw Lake, MN and Upsala, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Squaw Lake scores 66 while Upsala scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Squaw Lake is $538/month compared to $725/month in Upsala — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Squaw Lake has cheaper rent, Upsala actually has lower median home values ($143,400 vs $200,000).

Median household income in Squaw Lake is $61,875 compared to $61,250 in Upsala (+1%). The higher salaries in Squaw Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Squaw Lake spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 14.2% in Upsala.

Climate-wise, Upsala is notably warmer with an average of 42.9°F compared to 36.9°F in Squaw Lake. Upsala receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 24.8" in Squaw Lake.