The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Regional Price Parities data measures the differences in price levels across metropolitan statistical areas for a given year and is expressed as a percentage of the overall national price level. The national average is expressed as 100. The Twin Cities area is the only region with housing costs above the national average. Besides the Twin Cities area, Rochester area housing costs are closest to the national average -- 7% below. Duluth has the lowest housing costs at 32% below the national average. (The Rochester metropolitan statistical area includes Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted and Wabasha counties.)