Brooten, MN vs Mapleton, MN

Brooten, MN and Mapleton, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Brooten scores 72 while Mapleton scores 69 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 Brooten is $988/month compared to $772/month in Mapleton — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mapleton has cheaper rent, Brooten actually has lower median home values ($128,900 vs $176,400).

Median household income in Brooten is $47,500 compared to $82,031 in Mapleton (-42.1%). Mapleton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brooten spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, more than the 11.3% in Mapleton.