Farmington, MN vs Orono, MN

The cost of living difference between Farmington, MN and Orono, MN is dramatic. Farmington is 37.2% cheaper than Orono, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Farmington has a cost index of 103 while Orono sits at 165, 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 Farmington is $1,275/month compared to $1,653/month in Orono — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Farmington is more affordable at $345,100 median vs $952,400.

Median household income in Farmington is $118,556 compared to $181,875 in Orono (-34.8%). The higher salaries in Orono partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Farmington spend roughly 12.9% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in Orono.