City Comparison
Mankato vs St. Louis Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mankato scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mankato
St. Louis Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mankato is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in St. Louis Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mankato's average rent is
30% lower than St. Louis Park's.
| Metric | Mankato | St. Louis Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,650 | -30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,575 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis Park offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mankato is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in St. Louis Park.
| Metric | Mankato | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 68,519 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — St. Louis Park sees 5.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mankato | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | 46.90°F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 9.30°F | 7.40°F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | 41.70 in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | 31.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mankato has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to St. Louis Park.
St. Louis Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mankato | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis Park is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Mankato.
From a growth perspective, Mankato is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Mankato | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,488 | 50,138 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| 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.
St. Louis Park
Advantages
Exceptional proximity to downtown Minneapolis, offering a rapid commute via major transit and highway corridors.
Home to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, providing world-class healthcare access directly within city limits.
Over 50 meticulously maintained parks and extensive regional bike trail connections like the Cedar Lake Trail.
Thriving commercial and entertainment hubs like the Shops at West End with diverse dining and retail options.
Consistently high-performing public school district that continually draws families to the area.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes are noticeably higher than the national U.S. average.
Cold, harsh winter weather featuring significant snowfall accumulation typical of the Upper Midwest.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter arteries like Highway 100 and I-394 during peak hours.
Competitive real estate market with limited suburban housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Property crime rates, particularly catalytic converter thefts and vehicle break-ins, align with urban-suburban metro patterns.
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
St. Louis Park
#225Minnesota, USA
63.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
72
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