Arden Hills, MN vs Plainview, MN

The cost of living difference between Arden Hills, MN and Plainview, MN is dramatic. Plainview is 69.9% 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 Plainview sits at 75, 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 $774/month in Plainview — a 139% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Plainview is more affordable at $230,600 median vs $423,800.

Median household income in Arden Hills is $128,668 compared to $69,800 in Plainview (+84.3%). 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, more than the 13.3% in Plainview.