Austin, MN vs Burnsville, MN

The cost of living difference between Austin, MN and Burnsville, MN is dramatic. Austin is 33.9% cheaper than Burnsville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Austin has a cost index of 72 while Burnsville sits at 110, 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 Austin is $860/month compared to $1,501/month in Burnsville — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Austin is more affordable at $155,100 median vs $335,100.

Median household income in Austin is $66,488 compared to $83,953 in Burnsville (-20.8%). The higher salaries in Burnsville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Austin spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 21.5% in Burnsville.