Dawson, MN vs Hill City, MN

Dawson is moderately more affordable than Hill City, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Dawson scores 62 compared to 69 for Hill City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hill City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dawson is $618/month compared to $878/month in Hill City — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dawson has cheaper rent, Hill City actually has lower median home values ($102,900 vs $118,800).

Median household income in Dawson is $70,286 compared to $39,583 in Hill City (+77.6%). Dawson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dawson spend roughly 10.6% of their income on rent, less than the 26.6% in Hill City.