Barrett, MN vs Bird Island, MN

The cost of living difference between Barrett, MN and Bird Island, MN is dramatic. Bird Island is 30% cheaper than Barrett, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barrett has a cost index of 80 while Bird Island sits at 62, 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 Barrett is $1,284/month compared to $617/month in Bird Island — a 108% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bird Island has cheaper rent, Barrett actually has lower median home values ($94,000 vs $114,600).

Median household income in Barrett is $58,125 compared to $71,190 in Bird Island (-18.4%). Bird Island offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Barrett spend roughly 26.5% of their income on rent, more than the 10.4% in Bird Island.