Arlington, MN vs Battle Lake, MN

Arlington is moderately more affordable than Battle Lake, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Arlington scores 74 compared to 80 for Battle Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Battle Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $839/month compared to $920/month in Battle Lake — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arlington is more affordable at $181,600 median vs $221,000.

Median household income in Arlington is $66,458 compared to $58,125 in Battle Lake (+14.3%). Arlington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in Battle Lake.