Belle Plaine, MN vs New Hope, MN

Belle Plaine, MN and New Hope, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Belle Plaine scores 100 while New Hope scores 102 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 Belle Plaine is $1,336/month compared to $1,306/month in New Hope — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Hope has cheaper rent, Belle Plaine actually has lower median home values ($280,400 vs $314,600).

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $96,831 compared to $73,698 in New Hope (+31.4%). 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 21.3% in New Hope.