Burnsville, MN vs Owatonna, MN

The cost of living difference between Burnsville, MN and Owatonna, MN is dramatic. Owatonna is 31.2% cheaper than Burnsville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burnsville has a cost index of 110 while Owatonna sits at 83, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Burnsville is $1,501/month compared to $1,010/month in Owatonna — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Owatonna is more affordable at $234,600 median vs $335,100.

Median household income in Burnsville is $83,953 compared to $81,276 in Owatonna (+3.3%). Burnsville does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Burnsville spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Owatonna.