Inver Grove Heights, MN vs New Ulm, MN

The cost of living difference between Inver Grove Heights, MN and New Ulm, MN is dramatic. New Ulm is 43.7% cheaper than Inver Grove Heights, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Inver Grove Heights has a cost index of 109 while New Ulm sits at 76, 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 Inver Grove Heights is $1,447/month compared to $974/month in New Ulm — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Ulm is more affordable at $192,700 median vs $352,300.

Median household income in Inver Grove Heights is $104,055 compared to $63,984 in New Ulm (+62.6%). While Inver Grove Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Inver Grove Heights spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.3% in New Ulm.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.5°F vs 45.4°F). Inver Grove Heights receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 28" in New Ulm.