Circle Pines, MN vs New Ulm, MN

The cost of living difference between Circle Pines, MN and New Ulm, MN is dramatic. New Ulm is 31.3% cheaper than Circle Pines, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Circle Pines has a cost index of 100 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 Circle Pines is $1,337/month compared to $974/month in New Ulm — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Ulm is more affordable at $192,700 median vs $277,300.

Median household income in Circle Pines is $96,477 compared to $63,984 in New Ulm (+50.8%). While Circle Pines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Circle Pines spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in New Ulm.