Mankato, MN vs Plymouth, MN

The cost of living difference between Mankato, MN and Plymouth, MN is dramatic. Mankato is 33.7% cheaper than Plymouth, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mankato has a cost index of 84 while Plymouth sits at 127, 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 Mankato is $1,089/month compared to $1,705/month in Plymouth — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mankato is more affordable at $250,600 median vs $474,700.

Median household income in Mankato is $64,826 compared to $133,865 in Plymouth (-51.6%). While Plymouth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mankato spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.3% in Plymouth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.7°F vs 45.8°F). Plymouth receives more rainfall at 30.7" per year compared to 30.6" in Mankato.