Brainerd, MN vs Montevideo, MN

Montevideo is moderately more affordable than Brainerd, with a 5.5% lower cost of living index. Brainerd scores 74 compared to 70 for Montevideo, 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 $832/month in Montevideo — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montevideo is more affordable at $137,600 median vs $178,600.

Median household income in Brainerd is $53,705 compared to $65,724 in Montevideo (-18.3%). Montevideo 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 15.2% in Montevideo.