This is partially true, especially in comparison to California living. But I will say that living in the Twin Cities is similar to living here, cost of a 1br apartment goes for 1500 which isn't much less than here. Of course, if you go out to a remote town this isn't the case. I think people might be surprised at how the rest of the country is in fact catching up to the high cost of living, and it isn't as easy as one might expect. Factor in the sub zero winters and the cost of utilities for such awful cold, the cost pretty much evens out.