Brainerd, MN vs Luverne, MN

Luverne is moderately more affordable than Brainerd, with a 8.5% lower cost of living index. Brainerd scores 74 compared to 68 for Luverne, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Brainerd can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brainerd is $848/month compared to $718/month in Luverne — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Luverne has cheaper rent, Brainerd actually has lower median home values ($178,600 vs $181,100).

Median household income in Brainerd is $53,705 compared to $66,145 in Luverne (-18.8%). Luverne offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brainerd spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 13% in Luverne.