Dayton, MN vs Mountain Iron, MN

The cost of living difference between Dayton, MN and Mountain Iron, MN is dramatic. Mountain Iron is 63.7% cheaper than Dayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dayton has a cost index of 119 while Mountain Iron sits at 73, 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 Dayton is $1,353/month compared to $911/month in Mountain Iron — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mountain Iron is more affordable at $180,700 median vs $510,600.

Median household income in Dayton is $137,383 compared to $81,607 in Mountain Iron (+68.3%). While Dayton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dayton spend roughly 11.8% of their income on rent, less than the 13.4% in Mountain Iron.