City Comparison
Mankato vs Bessemer
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alabama, USA
View Bessemer profile
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Mankato scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mankato
Bessemer
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Mankato | Bessemer | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mankato offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Mankato | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mankato runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mankato comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mankato sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mankato | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 9.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bessemer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Mankato.
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 | Mankato | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mankato is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Mankato is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bessemer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mankato | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,488 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 30.5 | |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Bessemer
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Bessemer
Alabama, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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