Thief River Falls, MN vs Winona, MN

Thief River Falls is moderately more affordable than Winona, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. Thief River Falls scores 71 compared to 75 for Winona, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Winona can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Thief River Falls is $884/month compared to $839/month in Winona — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Winona has cheaper rent, Thief River Falls actually has lower median home values ($169,300 vs $193,500).

Median household income in Thief River Falls is $65,244 compared to $56,163 in Winona (+16.2%). Thief River Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Thief River Falls spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Winona.

Climate-wise, Winona is notably warmer with an average of 48.8°F compared to 37.7°F in Thief River Falls. Winona receives more rainfall at 35.2" per year compared to 24.3" in Thief River Falls.