Apple Valley, MN vs St. Cloud, MN

The cost of living difference between Apple Valley, MN and St. Cloud, MN is dramatic. St. Cloud is 47% 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 St. Cloud sits at 79, 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 $1,005/month in St. Cloud — a 67% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Cloud is more affordable at $212,800 median vs $354,200.

Median household income in Apple Valley is $99,277 compared to $61,112 in St. Cloud (+62.5%). While Apple Valley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Apple Valley spend roughly 20.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.7% in St. Cloud.