Babbitt, MN vs Scandia, MN

The cost of living difference between Babbitt, MN and Scandia, MN is dramatic. Babbitt is 42.4% cheaper than Scandia, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Babbitt has a cost index of 60 while Scandia sits at 105, 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 Babbitt is $726/month compared to $978/month in Scandia — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Babbitt is more affordable at $96,000 median vs $471,900.

Median household income in Babbitt is $54,318 compared to $100,179 in Scandia (-45.8%). While Scandia is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Babbitt spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, more than the 11.7% in Scandia.