Alexandria, MN vs Princeton, MN

Alexandria, MN and Princeton, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Alexandria scores 81 while Princeton scores 83 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alexandria is $907/month compared to $953/month in Princeton — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alexandria has cheaper rent, Princeton actually has lower median home values ($212,200 vs $247,200).

Median household income in Alexandria is $61,558 compared to $52,450 in Princeton (+17.4%). Alexandria offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alexandria spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in Princeton.