City Comparison
Apple Valley vs Lakeville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakeville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apple Valley
Lakeville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Apple Valley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Lakeville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apple Valley's average rent is
31% lower than Lakeville's.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Lakeville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $2,405 | -31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $185 | -5% |
| Transport | $130 | $125 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $3,375 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakeville offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lakeville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Apple Valley is estimated at
$58,000 vs $62,000 in Lakeville.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 72,222 idx |
| Household Income | $104,500 | $139,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 46.60°F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | 78.50°F |
| Winter Low | 7.90°F | 7.60°F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | 42.70 in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | 32.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | 257 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lakeville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Apple Valley.
Lakeville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lakeville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lakeville is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Apple Valley.
From a growth perspective, Lakeville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Apple Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,389 | 79,270 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 2.10% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apple Valley
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $104,000, supporting a strong local economy per Census Bureau data (2024).
Consistently low crime rates make Apple Valley one of the safest suburbs in the Twin Cities metro area.
Home to the nationally renowned Minnesota Zoo, offering exceptional family entertainment locally.
Over 50 municipal parks and extensive trail networks provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Highly rated local school district (ISD 196) attracts families seeking top-tier education.
Drawbacks
High housing costs and competitive real estate market limit affordability for first-time buyers per Zillow (2025).
Significant car dependency with limited public transit options outside of peak commuter bus routes.
Cold winter temperatures with frequent snowfall require high winter maintenance and heating costs.
Property taxes in Dakota County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits require travel to Minneapolis or St. Paul.
Lakeville
Advantages
Median household income in Lakeville reaches approximately $139,041 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The city boasts an exceptional safety profile with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) provide top-tier educational opportunities and high student achievement.
Abundant natural amenities include multiple lakes and over 60 parks with extensive recreational trails.
Strong local job growth and low unemployment rates support a stable and thriving local economy.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and home purchase prices exceed the national average, creating affordability hurdles.
High car dependency means limited public transit options for daily non-driving commuters.
Rental housing markets are competitive, with rising average rents across multi-family properties.
Winters feature prolonged sub-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall management requirements.
Traffic congestion can peak during traditional rush hours along major thoroughfares like Interstate 35.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Apple Valley
#131Minnesota, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
80
Business
70
Lakeville
#66Minnesota, USA
69.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,405
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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