Barnesville, MN vs Belle Plaine, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Barnesville is 24.8% cheaper than Belle Plaine. With a cost index of 75 vs 100, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Barnesville to Belle Plaine should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Barnesville is $862/month compared to $1,336/month in Belle Plaine — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barnesville is more affordable at $218,300 median vs $280,400.

Median household income in Barnesville is $83,333 compared to $96,831 in Belle Plaine (-13.9%). The higher salaries in Belle Plaine partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Barnesville spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, less than the 16.6% in Belle Plaine.