St. Joseph, MN vs Staples, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Staples is 23.3% cheaper than St. Joseph. With a cost index of 69 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Staples to St. Joseph should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in St. Joseph is $1,139/month compared to $856/month in Staples — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Staples is more affordable at $119,300 median vs $240,300.

Median household income in St. Joseph is $75,217 compared to $51,506 in Staples (+46%). While St. Joseph is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of St. Joseph spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.9% in Staples.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (42.9°F vs 42.2°F). St. Joseph receives more rainfall at 28.5" per year compared to 24.5" in Staples.