Barnum, MN vs Dawson, MN

Dawson is moderately more affordable than Barnum, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Barnum scores 69 compared to 62 for Dawson, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Barnum can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Barnum is $902/month compared to $618/month in Dawson — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dawson is more affordable at $118,800 median vs $131,300.

Median household income in Barnum is $49,583 compared to $70,286 in Dawson (-29.5%). Dawson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Barnum spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 10.6% in Dawson.