Arden Hills, MN vs Benson, MN

The cost of living difference between Arden Hills, MN and Benson, MN is dramatic. Benson is 71.8% cheaper than Arden Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arden Hills has a cost index of 127 while Benson sits at 74, 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 Arden Hills is $1,847/month compared to $939/month in Benson — a 97% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Benson is more affordable at $146,100 median vs $423,800.

Median household income in Arden Hills is $128,668 compared to $51,124 in Benson (+151.7%). While Arden Hills is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arden Hills spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Benson.