Benson, MN vs St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties), MN

The cost of living difference between Benson, MN and St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties), MN is dramatic. Benson is 32.3% cheaper than St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties), a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Benson has a cost index of 74 while St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) sits at 109, 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 Benson is $939/month compared to $1,413/month in St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Benson is more affordable at $146,100 median vs $365,700.

Median household income in Benson is $51,124 compared to $97,784 in St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) (-47.7%). While St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) 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 17.3% in St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties).