The 10 Most Affordable Towns in Minnesota

There’s been a lot of talk the past several months about raising taxes here in the Rochester area. The increases will help pay for everything from city and county expenses to an increase in the school district’s budget. Many people wonder how that will impact the cost of living here.

It probably won't surprise you to hear that Rochester isn’t one of the top towns in the state in terms of affordability. You might be surprised to learn, however, that there are a few towns in our area that actually made the top 10, according to a recent study by the website Only in Your State. The study looked at several economic factors, most notably cost of living and property taxes, to create a list of towns that they have deemed most affordable.

Among the top 10 were Southern Minnesota towns Austin and Albert Lea.

Austin actually ranked number two, with a cost of living nearly 20 percent less than the state average and an average annual property tax of $948.

Albert Lea is the top town on the list. The cost of living there is more than 21 percent less than that state average and gas prices there are nearly 10 percent less than the state average.

Who else made the list? Check out the study and see for yourself...