City Comparison
St. Louis Park vs Lakeville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakeville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis Park
Lakeville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Louis Park is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Lakeville.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Louis Park's average rent is
31% lower than Lakeville's.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Lakeville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $2,405 | -31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $185 | -5% |
| Transport | $110 | $125 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,575 | $3,375 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakeville offers 5% 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 St. Louis Park is estimated at
$58,000 vs $62,000 in Lakeville.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,519 idx | 72,222 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $139,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lakeville sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 46.60°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 78.50°F |
| Winter Low | 7.40°F | 7.60°F |
| Rainfall | 41.70 in | 42.70 in |
| Snowfall | 31.00 in | 32.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | 257 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | St. Louis Park | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lakeville is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of St. Louis Park.
From a growth perspective, Lakeville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,138 | 79,270 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 2.10% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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