City Comparison
Apple Valley vs Mankato
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mankato scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apple Valley
Mankato
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mankato is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Apple Valley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apple Valley's average rent is
43% higher than Mankato's.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Mankato | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,150 | +43% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,040 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Apple Valley offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mankato 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 $48,000 in Mankato.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Mankato |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 68,132 idx |
| Household Income | $104,500 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Apple Valley sees 7.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Mankato |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 48.10°F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | 79.60°F |
| Winter Low | 7.90°F | 9.30°F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | 38.60 in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | 25.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | 258 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mankato has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Apple Valley.
Mankato scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mankato leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Mankato |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Apple Valley is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Mankato.
From a growth perspective, Mankato is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mankato has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Mankato |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,389 | 44,488 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 30.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Mankato
Advantages
Median home prices in Mankato remain well below the national average per 2024 Zillow data.
Mayo Clinic Health System provides top-tier regional healthcare and major employment opportunities.
Minnesota State University, Mankato infuses the city with cultural events, sports, and a youthful energy.
Extensive outdoor recreation network featuring Riverfront Park and miles of paved biking trails.
Consistently lower unemployment rate compared to the national average per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Drawbacks
Winters are long and harsh, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and the immediate university area.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten significantly during the academic fall semester startup.
Limited direct access to commercial air travel, requiring a trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Higher than average state income taxes typical of Minnesota apply to local earners.
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
Mankato
#110Minnesota, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Apple Valley and Mankato.
Open Cost Calculator