Austin, MN vs Waseca, MN

Austin, MN and Waseca, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Austin scores 72 while Waseca scores 73 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 $796/month in Waseca — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waseca has cheaper rent, Austin actually has lower median home values ($155,100 vs $185,600).

Median household income in Austin is $66,488 compared to $61,546 in Waseca (+8%). Austin offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Austin spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Waseca.