Dexter, MI vs Oak Park Heights, MN: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Oak Park Heights, MN has a modeled overall cost index 19.4% higher than Dexter, MI.

Dexter, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,880 / month
Oak Park Heights, MN · modeled 2BR rent
$1,660 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Dexter, MI and Oak Park Heights, MN using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
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Estimated extra cost: $1,236/month in Oak Park Heights, MN

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $164,828 in Oak Park Heights, MN

Regional cost estimates: Dexter, MI uses Detroit, MI. Oak Park Heights, MN uses Saint Paul, MN. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 19.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,236
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$14.8K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Dexter, MI

Population:5K
Cost Index:
80.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$485K

Oak Park Heights, MN

Population:5K
Cost Index:
95.5
100 = national average
Typical Home:$502K

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Dexter, MI

The Great Lakes State

5K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 5K residents.

Oak Park Heights, MN

The North Star State

5K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 5K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Dexter, MI vs Oak Park Heights, MN

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 73.4%
Dexter, MI
$1,543
Oak Park Heights, MN
$2,676
Difference
$1,132
more
Healthcare
↑ 34.1%
Dexter, MI
$650
Oak Park Heights, MN
$872
Difference
$222
more
Transportation
↓ 12.1%
Dexter, MI
$1,728
Oak Park Heights, MN
$1,518
Difference
$210
less
Groceries
↑ 8.4%
Dexter, MI
$1,095
Oak Park Heights, MN
$1,187
Difference
$92.38
more
All Utilities
↓ 8.8%
Dexter, MI
$643
Oak Park Heights, MN
$586
Difference
$56.65
less
Other
↑ 3.0%
Dexter, MI
$1,841
Oak Park Heights, MN
$1,897
Difference
$55.75
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,550
To$1,210
↓ $340
1 Bed
From$1,570
To$1,360
↓ $210
2 Bed
From$1,880
To$1,660
↓ $220
3 Bed
From$2,250
To$2,200
↓ $50.00
Dexter, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,570–$1,570/mo

Oak Park Heights, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,360–$1,360/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Dexter, MI
$8,736
Monthly in Oak Park Heights, MN
$1,236
Difference

Home Values

Dexter
Oak Park Heights
$485K
Median Value
$502K
↑ +3.5%
YoY Change
↑ +3.5%
↑ +7.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +26.9%

Homes in Oak Park Heights are 4% more expensive than Dexter

Calculate payment - DexterCalculate payment - Oak Park Heights

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $4.1K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$338
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
2.7%
Rate difference

Dexter, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Oak Park Heights, MN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Minnesota State Tax
Effective: 7.0%
$10.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.6%
$47.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,546/month
$102.6K

Additional Tax Information

Dexter, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

Oak Park Heights, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%
Property Tax:1.1%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Dexter
Oak Park Heights
55 Moderate
Air Quality
36 Good
32.8%
Good Air Days
72.4%
99 High
Climate Risk
95 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.7°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.7°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days

Before moving from Dexter, MI to Oak Park Heights, MN

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Oak Park Heights, MN for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Dexter, MI. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Dexter to Oak Park Heights moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Oak Park Heights, MN by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dexter, MI vs Oak Park Heights, MN

How do the cost estimates for Dexter, MI and Oak Park Heights, MN compare?

Oak Park Heights, MN has a modeled overall cost index 19.4% higher than Dexter, MI. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Dexter, MI, the model estimates $164,828 in Oak Park Heights, MN. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Dexter, MI and Oak Park Heights, MN?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,880/month in Dexter, MI and $1,660/month in Oak Park Heights, MN. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Michigan and Minnesota on TaxTakeHome.com

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