Arlington, MN vs McIntosh, MN

The cost of living difference between Arlington, MN and McIntosh, MN is dramatic. McIntosh is 33.5% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 74 while McIntosh sits at 55, 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 Arlington is $839/month compared to $563/month in McIntosh — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McIntosh is more affordable at $100,700 median vs $181,600.

Median household income in Arlington is $66,458 compared to $53,750 in McIntosh (+23.6%). The higher salaries in Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in McIntosh.