Bird Island, MN vs Russell, MN

Bird Island, MN and Russell, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Bird Island scores 62 while Russell scores 63 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 Bird Island is $617/month compared to $700/month in Russell — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bird Island has cheaper rent, Russell actually has lower median home values ($101,700 vs $114,600).

Median household income in Bird Island is $71,190 compared to $62,143 in Russell (+14.6%). Bird Island offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bird Island spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 13.5% in Russell.