Atwater, MN vs Badger, MN

Atwater, MN and Badger, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Atwater scores 68 while Badger scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Atwater is $736/month compared to $775/month in Badger — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atwater has cheaper rent, Badger actually has lower median home values ($95,000 vs $144,300).

Median household income in Atwater is $66,071 compared to $60,375 in Badger (+9.4%). While Atwater is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Atwater spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 15.4% in Badger.