Albany, MN vs St. Francis, MN

The cost of living difference between Albany, MN and St. Francis, MN is dramatic. Albany is 30.4% cheaper than St. Francis, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albany has a cost index of 67 while St. Francis sits at 97, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Albany is $579/month compared to $1,183/month in St. Francis — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Albany is more affordable at $226,000 median vs $297,800.

Median household income in Albany is $75,417 compared to $101,875 in St. Francis (-26%). The higher salaries in St. Francis partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Albany spend roughly 9.2% of their income on rent, less than the 13.9% in St. Francis.