Park Rapids, MN vs Sauk Centre, MN: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Sauk Centre, MN has a modeled overall cost index 9.1% higher than Park Rapids, MN.

Park Rapids, MN · modeled 2BR rent
$1,010 / month
Sauk Centre, MN · modeled 2BR rent
$1,040 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Park Rapids, MN and Sauk Centre, MN using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $573/month in Sauk Centre, MN

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $156,875 in Sauk Centre, MN

Regional cost estimates: Park Rapids, MN uses Minneapolis, MN. Sauk Centre, MN uses Minneapolis, MN. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 9.1%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$573
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$6.9K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Park Rapids, MN

Population:4K
Cost Index:
78.7
100 = national average
Typical Home:$305K

Sauk Centre, MN

Population:5K
Cost Index:
85.9
100 = national average
Typical Home:$310K

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Park Rapids, MN

The North Star State

4K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 4K residents.

Sauk Centre, MN

The North Star State

5K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 5K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Park Rapids, MN vs Sauk Centre, MN

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 9.1%
Park Rapids, MN
$2,264
Sauk Centre, MN
$2,471
Difference
$207
more
Other
↑ 9.1%
Park Rapids, MN
$1,591
Sauk Centre, MN
$1,736
Difference
$145
more
Transportation
↑ 9.1%
Park Rapids, MN
$1,237
Sauk Centre, MN
$1,350
Difference
$113
more
Groceries
↑ 4.5%
Park Rapids, MN
$1,081
Sauk Centre, MN
$1,129
Difference
$48.30
more
Healthcare
↑ 4.5%
Park Rapids, MN
$794
Sauk Centre, MN
$829
Difference
$35.47
more
All Utilities
↑ 4.5%
Park Rapids, MN
$534
Sauk Centre, MN
$557
Difference
$23.85
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$700
To$780
↑ $80.00
1 Bed
From$770
To$800
↑ $30.00
2 Bed
From$1,010
To$1,040
↑ $30.00
3 Bed
From$1,390
To$1,360
↓ $30.00
Park Rapids, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $770–$770/mo

Sauk Centre, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$800/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Park Rapids, MN
$8,073
Monthly in Sauk Centre, MN
$573
Difference

Home Values

Park Rapids
Sauk Centre
$305K
Median Value
$310K
↑ +2.8%
YoY Change
↑ +2.4%
↑ +38%
5-Year Change
↑ +40.3%

Homes in Sauk Centre are 2% more expensive than Park Rapids

Calculate payment - Park RapidsCalculate payment - Sauk Centre

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Park Rapids, MN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Minnesota State Tax
Effective: 7.0%
$10.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.6%
$47.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,546/month
$102.6K

Sauk Centre, MN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Minnesota State Tax
Effective: 7.0%
$10.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.6%
$47.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,546/month
$102.6K

Additional Tax Information

Park Rapids, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%
Property Tax:1.1%

Sauk Centre, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%
Property Tax:1.1%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Park Rapids
Sauk Centre
42 Good
Air Quality
42 Good
66.4%
Good Air Days
66.4%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.6°F
14 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days
▲+3.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.6°F
14 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days

Before moving from Park Rapids, MN to Sauk Centre, MN

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Sauk Centre, MN for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Park Rapids, MN. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Park Rapids to Sauk Centre moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Sauk Centre, MN by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Park Rapids, MN vs Sauk Centre, MN

How do the cost estimates for Park Rapids, MN and Sauk Centre, MN compare?

Sauk Centre, MN has a modeled overall cost index 9.1% higher than Park Rapids, MN. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Park Rapids, MN, the model estimates $156,875 in Sauk Centre, MN. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Park Rapids, MN and Sauk Centre, MN?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,010/month in Park Rapids, MN and $1,040/month in Sauk Centre, MN. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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