Burnsville, MN vs Rochester, MN

Rochester is moderately more affordable than Burnsville, with a 14% lower cost of living index. Burnsville scores 110 compared to 96 for Rochester, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Burnsville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Burnsville is $1,501/month compared to $1,316/month in Rochester — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rochester is more affordable at $287,500 median vs $335,100.

Median household income in Burnsville is $83,953 compared to $87,767 in Rochester (-4.3%). Rochester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Burnsville spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18% in Rochester.