Blue Earth, MN vs Thief River Falls, MN

Blue Earth, MN and Thief River Falls, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Blue Earth scores 72 while Thief River Falls scores 71 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 Blue Earth is $916/month compared to $884/month in Thief River Falls — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Thief River Falls has cheaper rent, Blue Earth actually has lower median home values ($125,200 vs $169,300).

Median household income in Blue Earth is $59,118 compared to $65,244 in Thief River Falls (-9.4%). Thief River Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Blue Earth spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Thief River Falls.