Fenton, MI vs North Branch, MN: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

North Branch, MN has a modeled overall cost index 17.6% higher than Fenton, MI.

Fenton, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,490 / month
North Branch, MN · modeled 2BR rent
$1,520 / 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 Fenton, MI and North Branch, 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: $1,129/month in North Branch, MN

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $163,543 in North Branch, MN

Regional cost estimates: Fenton, MI uses Detroit, MI. North Branch, MN uses Saint Paul, MN. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 17.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,129
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$13.5K
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.

Fenton, MI

Population:12K
Cost Index:
82.1
100 = national average
Typical Home:$347K

North Branch, MN

Population:12K
Cost Index:
96.6
100 = national average
Typical Home:$342K

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Fenton, MI

The Great Lakes State

12K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 12K residents.

North Branch, MN

The North Star State

12K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 12K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Fenton, MI vs North Branch, 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
↑ 70.8%
Fenton, MI
$1,550
North Branch, MN
$2,648
Difference
$1,098
more
Transportation
↓ 13.4%
Fenton, MI
$1,735
North Branch, MN
$1,502
Difference
$233
less
Healthcare
↑ 33.1%
Fenton, MI
$645
North Branch, MN
$858
Difference
$213
more
Groceries
↑ 7.6%
Fenton, MI
$1,085
North Branch, MN
$1,168
Difference
$82.89
more
All Utilities
↓ 9.5%
Fenton, MI
$637
North Branch, MN
$577
Difference
$60.41
less
Other
↑ 1.5%
Fenton, MI
$1,849
North Branch, MN
$1,877
Difference
$28.07
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,040
To$1,100
↑ $60.00
1 Bed
From$1,260
To$1,250
↓ $10.00
2 Bed
From$1,490
To$1,520
↑ $30.00
3 Bed
From$1,930
To$2,020
↑ $90.00
Fenton, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,260–$1,260/mo

North Branch, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,250/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 Fenton, MI
$8,629
Monthly in North Branch, MN
$1,129
Difference

Home Values

Fenton
North Branch
$347K
Median Value
$342K
↑ +3.9%
YoY Change
↑ +2%
↑ +32.2%
5-Year Change
↑ +25.7%

Homes in North Branch are 2% less expensive than Fenton

Calculate payment - FentonCalculate payment - North Branch

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

Fenton, 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

North Branch, 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

Fenton, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

North Branch, 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

Fenton
North Branch
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 Fenton, MI to North Branch, 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 North Branch, MN for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Fenton, 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 Fenton to North Branch moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Fenton, MI vs North Branch, MN

How do the cost estimates for Fenton, MI and North Branch, MN compare?

North Branch, MN has a modeled overall cost index 17.6% higher than Fenton, 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 Fenton, MI, the model estimates $163,543 in North Branch, 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 Fenton, MI and North Branch, MN?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,490/month in Fenton, MI and $1,520/month in North Branch, 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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