Belle Plaine, MN vs Forest Lake, MN

Belle Plaine is moderately more affordable than Forest Lake, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Belle Plaine scores 100 compared to 109 for Forest Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Forest Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Belle Plaine is $1,336/month compared to $1,379/month in Forest Lake — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belle Plaine is more affordable at $280,400 median vs $375,900.

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $96,831 compared to $89,879 in Forest Lake (+7.7%). Belle Plaine offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Plaine spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Forest Lake.