Backus, MN vs McIntosh, MN

Backus, MN and McIntosh, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Backus scores 57 while McIntosh scores 55 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 Backus is $490/month compared to $563/month in McIntosh — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Backus has cheaper rent, McIntosh actually has lower median home values ($100,700 vs $104,700).

Median household income in Backus is $58,750 compared to $53,750 in McIntosh (+9.3%). While Backus is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Backus spend roughly 10% of their income on rent, less than the 12.6% in McIntosh.