Apple Valley, MN vs Owatonna, MN

The cost of living difference between Apple Valley, MN and Owatonna, MN is dramatic. Owatonna is 39.5% cheaper than Apple Valley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Apple Valley has a cost index of 116 while Owatonna sits at 83, 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 Apple Valley is $1,678/month compared to $1,010/month in Owatonna — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Owatonna is more affordable at $234,600 median vs $354,200.

Median household income in Apple Valley is $99,277 compared to $81,276 in Owatonna (+22.1%). The higher salaries in Apple Valley partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Apple Valley spend roughly 20.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Owatonna.