Austin, MN vs Thief River Falls, MN

Austin, MN and Thief River Falls, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Austin scores 72 while Thief River Falls scores 71 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 Austin is $860/month compared to $884/month in Thief River Falls — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Austin is more affordable at $155,100 median vs $169,300.

Median household income in Austin is $66,488 compared to $65,244 in Thief River Falls (+1.9%). The higher salaries in Austin 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 16.3% in Thief River Falls.