Ely, MN vs St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties), MN

The cost of living difference between Ely, MN and St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties), MN is dramatic. Ely is 43.4% cheaper than St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties), a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ely has a cost index of 62 while St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) sits at 109, 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 Ely is $627/month compared to $1,413/month in St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ely is more affordable at $150,800 median vs $365,700.

Median household income in Ely is $46,042 compared to $97,784 in St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) (-52.9%). While St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties) is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ely spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in St. Anthony city (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties).