Signals
Albert Lea
Sulphur Springs
Growth
36 · Bottom 28%
vs42 · Bottom 37%
Climate
53 · Bottom 6%
vs69 · Top 41%
Physical resilience
71 · Top 28%
vs58 · Top 47%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs97 · Top 42%
Access
74 · Bottom 47%
vs87 · Top 31%
Economic stability
69 · Top 26%
vs59 · Top 40%
Measured values
| Metric | Albert Lea | Sulphur Springs | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,623 | 37,784 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,023 | $70,888 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,886 | $34,712 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 43/sq mi | 49/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $171,100 | $221,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $849 | $1,109 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 79.5% | 71.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 21.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 11.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 21 | 56 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 1.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 133.3% | -23.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 94°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 6°F | 34°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.8" | 46.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 45 mi | 29 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.0 min | 24.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.3 | 39.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Albert Lea
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado, cold wave.
Sulphur Springs
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, strong wind, hail.
Your best match
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Albert Lea
67
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Area Score
Sulphur Springs
69
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Albert Lea, MN Micro Area · Sulphur Springs, TX Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology