Staples, MN vs Watkins, MN

Watkins is moderately more affordable than Staples, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Staples scores 69 compared to 66 for Watkins, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Staples can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Staples is $856/month compared to $760/month in Watkins — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Watkins has cheaper rent, Staples actually has lower median home values ($119,300 vs $136,800).

Median household income in Staples is $51,506 compared to $50,875 in Watkins (+1.2%). Staples does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Staples spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in Watkins.

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