Arlington, MN vs Watkins, MN

Watkins is moderately more affordable than Arlington, with a 12.9% lower cost of living index. Arlington scores 74 compared to 66 for Watkins, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Arlington 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 $760/month in Watkins — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Watkins is more affordable at $136,800 median vs $181,600.

Median household income in Arlington is $66,458 compared to $50,875 in Watkins (+30.6%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Watkins.