City Comparison
Mankato vs Lakeville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakeville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mankato
Lakeville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mankato is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Lakeville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mankato's average rent is
52% lower than Lakeville's.
| Metric | Mankato | Lakeville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $2,405 | -52% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $185 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $125 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $3,375 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakeville offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lakeville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mankato is estimated at
$48,000 vs $62,000 in Lakeville.
| Metric | Mankato | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 72,222 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $139,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lakeville sees 7.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mankato | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | 46.60°F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | 78.50°F |
| Winter Low | 9.30°F | 7.60°F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | 42.70 in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | 32.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | 257 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mankato has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Lakeville.
For walkability, Mankato leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mankato | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lakeville is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Mankato.
From a growth perspective, Lakeville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mankato has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mankato | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,488 | 79,270 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.10% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mankato
Advantages
Median home prices in Mankato remain well below the national average per 2024 Zillow data.
Mayo Clinic Health System provides top-tier regional healthcare and major employment opportunities.
Minnesota State University, Mankato infuses the city with cultural events, sports, and a youthful energy.
Extensive outdoor recreation network featuring Riverfront Park and miles of paved biking trails.
Consistently lower unemployment rate compared to the national average per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Drawbacks
Winters are long and harsh, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and the immediate university area.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten significantly during the academic fall semester startup.
Limited direct access to commercial air travel, requiring a trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Higher than average state income taxes typical of Minnesota apply to local earners.
Lakeville
Advantages
Median household income in Lakeville reaches approximately $139,041 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The city boasts an exceptional safety profile with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) provide top-tier educational opportunities and high student achievement.
Abundant natural amenities include multiple lakes and over 60 parks with extensive recreational trails.
Strong local job growth and low unemployment rates support a stable and thriving local economy.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and home purchase prices exceed the national average, creating affordability hurdles.
High car dependency means limited public transit options for daily non-driving commuters.
Rental housing markets are competitive, with rising average rents across multi-family properties.
Winters feature prolonged sub-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall management requirements.
Traffic congestion can peak during traditional rush hours along major thoroughfares like Interstate 35.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Mankato
#110Minnesota, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
Lakeville
#66Minnesota, USA
69.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,405
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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