Baxter, MN vs Eagle Lake, MN

Baxter, MN and Eagle Lake, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Baxter scores 92 while Eagle Lake scores 94 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 Baxter is $1,123/month compared to $1,405/month in Eagle Lake — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Baxter has cheaper rent, Eagle Lake actually has lower median home values ($249,600 vs $298,400).

Median household income in Baxter is $71,272 compared to $97,161 in Eagle Lake (-26.6%). While Eagle Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Baxter spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Eagle Lake.