Chaska, MN vs New Ulm, MN

The cost of living difference between Chaska, MN and New Ulm, MN is dramatic. New Ulm is 46.2% cheaper than Chaska, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chaska has a cost index of 111 while New Ulm sits at 76, 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 Chaska is $1,436/month compared to $974/month in New Ulm — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Ulm is more affordable at $192,700 median vs $379,400.

Median household income in Chaska is $110,000 compared to $63,984 in New Ulm (+71.9%). While Chaska is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chaska spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in New Ulm.