Elbow Lake, MN vs Dawson, MN: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Dawson, MN has a modeled overall cost index 10.3% higher than Elbow Lake, MN.

Elbow Lake, MN · modeled 2BR rent
$1,090 / month
Dawson, MN · modeled 2BR rent
$970 / 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 Elbow Lake, MN and Dawson, 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

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $639/month in Dawson, MN

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $157,668 in Dawson, MN

Regional cost estimates: Elbow Lake, MN uses Minneapolis, MN. Dawson, MN uses Minneapolis, MN. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 10.3%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$639
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$7.7K
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.

Elbow Lake, MN

Population:1K
Cost Index:
69.7
100 = national average
Typical Home:$196K

Dawson, MN

Population:1K
Cost Index:
76.9
100 = national average
Typical Home:$192K

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Elbow Lake, MN

The North Star State

1K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 1K residents.

Dawson, MN

The North Star State

1K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 1K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Elbow Lake, MN vs Dawson, 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
↑ 10.3%
Elbow Lake, MN
$2,220
Dawson, MN
$2,448
Difference
$228
more
Other
↑ 10.3%
Elbow Lake, MN
$1,559
Dawson, MN
$1,720
Difference
$160
more
Transportation
↑ 10.3%
Elbow Lake, MN
$1,212
Dawson, MN
$1,337
Difference
$125
more
Groceries
↑ 5.0%
Elbow Lake, MN
$1,126
Dawson, MN
$1,182
Difference
$56.46
more
Healthcare
↑ 5.0%
Elbow Lake, MN
$827
Dawson, MN
$868
Difference
$41.46
more
All Utilities
↑ 5.0%
Elbow Lake, MN
$556
Dawson, MN
$584
Difference
$27.87
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$750
To$670
↓ $80.00
1 Bed
From$830
To$830
→ $0
2 Bed
From$1,090
To$970
↓ $120
3 Bed
From$1,520
To$1,350
↓ $170
Elbow Lake, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $830–$830/mo

Dawson, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $830–$830/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 Elbow Lake, MN
$8,139
Monthly in Dawson, MN
$639
Difference

Home Values

Elbow Lake
Dawson
$196K
Median Value
$192K
↑ +5.2%
YoY Change
↑ +11.5%
↑ +39.4%
5-Year Change
↑ +44.9%

Homes in Dawson are 2% less expensive than Elbow Lake

Calculate payment - Elbow LakeCalculate payment - Dawson

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Elbow Lake, 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

Dawson, 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

Elbow Lake, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%
Property Tax:1.1%

Dawson, 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

Elbow Lake
Dawson
42 Good
Air Quality
42 Good
66.4%
Good Air Days
66.4%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.6°F
14 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days
▲+3.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.6°F
14 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days

Before moving from Elbow Lake, MN to Dawson, 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 Dawson, MN for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Elbow Lake, MN. 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 Elbow Lake to Dawson moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Elbow Lake, MN vs Dawson, MN

How do the cost estimates for Elbow Lake, MN and Dawson, MN compare?

Dawson, MN has a modeled overall cost index 10.3% higher than Elbow Lake, MN. 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 Elbow Lake, MN, the model estimates $157,668 in Dawson, 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 Elbow Lake, MN and Dawson, MN?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,090/month in Elbow Lake, MN and $970/month in Dawson, 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.

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