Hills, MN vs Middle River, MN

The cost of living difference between Hills, MN and Middle River, MN is dramatic. Middle River is 47% cheaper than Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hills has a cost index of 76 while Middle River sits at 52, 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 Hills is $962/month compared to $313/month in Middle River — a 207% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Middle River is more affordable at $103,500 median vs $184,800.

Median household income in Hills is $67,393 compared to $57,188 in Middle River (+17.8%). Hills does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hills spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, more than the 6.6% in Middle River.

Climate-wise, Hills is notably warmer with an average of 47.4°F compared to 37.7°F in Middle River. Hills receives more rainfall at 27.8" per year compared to 24.3" in Middle River.