Benson, MN vs East Grand Forks, MN

Benson, MN and East Grand Forks, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Benson scores 74 while East Grand Forks scores 77 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 Benson is $939/month compared to $872/month in East Grand Forks — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while East Grand Forks has cheaper rent, Benson actually has lower median home values ($146,100 vs $243,800).

Median household income in Benson is $51,124 compared to $74,618 in East Grand Forks (-31.5%). While East Grand Forks 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 14% in East Grand Forks.