Belle Plaine, MN vs Chatfield, MN

The cost of living difference between Belle Plaine, MN and Chatfield, MN is dramatic. Chatfield is 43.3% cheaper than Belle Plaine, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belle Plaine has a cost index of 100 while Chatfield sits at 70, 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 Belle Plaine is $1,336/month compared to $645/month in Chatfield — a 107% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chatfield is more affordable at $216,000 median vs $280,400.

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $96,831 compared to $91,912 in Chatfield (+5.4%). Belle Plaine does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Plaine spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 8.4% in Chatfield.