Cambridge, MN vs St. Charles, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Charles is 16.3% cheaper than Cambridge. With a cost index of 80 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Charles to Cambridge should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cambridge is $1,232/month compared to $941/month in St. Charles — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Charles is more affordable at $231,300 median vs $234,800.

Median household income in Cambridge is $67,632 compared to $96,544 in St. Charles (-29.9%). St. Charles offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cambridge spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 11.7% in St. Charles.