Albert Lea, MN vs Roseville, MN

The cost of living difference between Albert Lea, MN and Roseville, MN is dramatic. Albert Lea is 31.7% cheaper than Roseville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albert Lea has a cost index of 72 while Roseville sits at 105, 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 Albert Lea is $845/month compared to $1,346/month in Roseville — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Albert Lea is more affordable at $150,400 median vs $334,800.

Median household income in Albert Lea is $62,522 compared to $88,440 in Roseville (-29.3%). The higher salaries in Roseville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Albert Lea spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in Roseville.