Waconia, MN vs Windom, MN

The cost of living difference between Waconia, MN and Windom, MN is dramatic. Windom is 56.1% cheaper than Waconia, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Waconia has a cost index of 109 while Windom sits at 70, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Waconia is $1,299/month compared to $773/month in Windom — a 68% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Windom is more affordable at $158,000 median vs $407,600.

Median household income in Waconia is $104,929 compared to $67,813 in Windom (+54.7%). The higher salaries in Waconia partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Waconia spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, more than the 13.7% in Windom.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.7°F vs 44.6°F). Waconia receives more rainfall at 30.6" per year compared to 29.3" in Windom.