Cost of Living in Medicine Lake, MN

With a cost of living index of 151, Medicine Lake, MN is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 51% more expensive than the national average and 69% above the Minnesota state average of 82. Medicine Lake is a small community of 541 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Medicine Lake's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,025 (22% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $1,014,500 (233% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Medicine Lake is $161,250, which is 115% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 8% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Medicine Lake. The area sees an average annual temperature of 45.8°F, with summers averaging 71°F and winters around 19°F. Annual rainfall totals 30.7 inches spread over roughly 0 days. Cold winters mean higher heating bills, an important cost-of-living consideration.

Everyday prices in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.