Atwater, MN vs Benson, MN

Atwater is moderately more affordable than Benson, with a 8.5% lower cost of living index. Atwater scores 68 compared to 74 for Benson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Benson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Atwater is $736/month compared to $939/month in Benson — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atwater is more affordable at $144,300 median vs $146,100.

Median household income in Atwater is $66,071 compared to $51,124 in Benson (+29.2%). Atwater offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Atwater spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Benson.