Mankato, MN vs Red Wing, MN

Mankato, MN and Red Wing, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Mankato scores 84 while Red Wing scores 84 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Mankato is $1,089/month compared to $954/month in Red Wing — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Wing is more affordable at $224,800 median vs $250,600.

Median household income in Mankato is $64,826 compared to $65,259 in Red Wing (-0.7%). Red Wing offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mankato spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.5% in Red Wing.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.7°F vs 46.5°F). Mankato receives more rainfall at 30.6" per year compared to 29.2" in Red Wing.