Benson, MN vs Detroit Lakes, MN

Benson is moderately more affordable than Detroit Lakes, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Benson scores 74 compared to 82 for Detroit Lakes, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Detroit Lakes can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Benson is $939/month compared to $925/month in Detroit Lakes — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Detroit Lakes has cheaper rent, Benson actually has lower median home values ($146,100 vs $246,200).

Median household income in Benson is $51,124 compared to $62,123 in Detroit Lakes (-17.7%). While Detroit Lakes is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Benson spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in Detroit Lakes.