Atwater, MN vs Sleepy Eye, MN

Atwater, MN and Sleepy Eye, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Atwater scores 68 while Sleepy Eye scores 68 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 $757/month in Sleepy Eye — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atwater has cheaper rent, Sleepy Eye actually has lower median home values ($138,500 vs $144,300).

Median household income in Atwater is $66,071 compared to $64,811 in Sleepy Eye (+1.9%). 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 14% in Sleepy Eye.