Cost of Living in Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
104.8
U.S. average = 100 · #31 of 387
Median wage
$59,320
all jobs · $3,944/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$1,396
HUD fair market rent
▲2.9%
Pay trend: The median for all workers in Minneapolis, MN rose from $57,640 (May 2024) to $59,320 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 0.5%.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Minneapolis, MN to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
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How expensive is Minneapolis, MN?
With a price level of 104.8 (U.S. average = 100), Minneapolis, MN is more expensive than average. In detail, housing costs run 12% above average; everyday goods run 3% above average; utilities are 7% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 4% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Minneapolis, MN vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 104.8 | +4.8% |
| Housing | 111.8 | +11.8% |
| Goods | 103.1 | +3.1% |
| Utilities | 93.5 | −6.5% |
| Other services | 104.4 | +4.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Minneapolis, MN
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,236 | $49,440/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,396 | $55,840/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,700 | $68,000/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,249 | $89,960/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,520 | $100,800/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Minneapolis, MN
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Minneapolis, MN | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $41,900 | $34,424 |
| $60,000 | $62,900 | $49,966 |
| $80,000 | $83,900 | $63,672 |
| $100,000 | $104,800 | $76,954 |
| $150,000 | $157,200 | $109,205 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Minnesota 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Minneapolis, MN's median wage of $59,320 takes home about $3,944 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,396, which is 35% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,548 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Minneapolis, MN
Your take-home pay
$47,333
per year · effective tax rate 20.2%
$3,944Monthly
$1,972Twice a month
$1,821Every 2 weeks
$22.76Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,938
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,678
- Medicare (1.45%)$860
- Minnesota income tax$2,510
- Take-home pay$47,333
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.80% state
Highest-paying jobs in Minneapolis, MN
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $234,398 | $223,616 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $211,470 | $143,607 | $137,001 |
| Chief Executive | $209,980 | $142,627 | $136,066 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $178,080 | $121,837 | $116,233 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $174,510 | $119,678 | $114,172 |
| Marketing Manager | $173,040 | $118,788 | $113,324 |
| Financial Manager | $165,620 | $114,299 | $109,041 |
| Pharmacist | $160,990 | $111,498 | $106,369 |
| Lawyer | $159,620 | $110,669 | $105,578 |
| Human Resources Manager | $159,390 | $110,530 | $105,445 |
| Sales Manager | $158,100 | $109,750 | $104,701 |
| Managers, All Other | $153,860 | $107,184 | $102,254 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $144,520 | $101,534 | $96,863 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,370 | $94,788 | $90,427 |
| Software Developer | $130,920 | $93,306 | $89,013 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $130,650 | $93,142 | $88,858 |
| Data Scientist | $129,780 | $92,616 | $88,355 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $127,640 | $91,321 | $87,120 |
| Construction Manager | $126,920 | $90,886 | $86,705 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $126,880 | $90,861 | $86,682 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Minnesota cities
Half of Minnesota’s 2,949,820 workers earn less than $56,920 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $39,680–$82,520 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Rochester, MN stretches a paycheck furthest, while La Crosse, WI is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | $59,320 | 104.8 | $1,396 | 35% | $2,548 | $45,156 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $47,970 | 90.6 | $978 | 30% | $2,270 | $43,005 |
| Fargo, ND | $51,050 | 90.9 | $917 | 27% | $2,521 | $45,395 |
| Duluth, MN | $50,000 | 88.8 | $978 | 29% | $2,395 | $45,600 |
| Rochester, MN | $60,620 | 90.8 | $1,124 | 28% | $2,900 | $53,170 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $50,840 | 87.6 | $919 | 27% | $2,506 | $46,896 |
| La Crosse, WI | $48,260 | 91.8 | $866 | 27% | $2,400 | $42,709 |
| Mankato, MN | $49,530 | 91.0 | $977 | 29% | $2,367 | $44,124 |
| Grand Forks, ND | $49,760 | 86.7 | $868 | 26% | $2,490 | $46,504 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Minneapolis, MN vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $1,396 | $59,320 | 1,951,650 |
| Detroit, MI | 100.3 | $1,128 | $52,080 | 1,904,530 |
| Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $2,022 | $72,610 | 2,086,210 |
| Riverside, CA | 106.4 | $1,777 | $48,400 | 1,716,760 |
| Denver, CO | 105.8 | $1,754 | $62,320 | 1,609,350 |
| San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $2,459 | $58,690 | 1,538,060 |
| San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $2,620 | $74,260 | 2,373,920 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Minneapolis, MN expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area are 104.8% of the U.S. average, with housing at 111.8%. It is the #31 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Minneapolis, MN?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $62,893 in Minneapolis, MN (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $59,320.
Can you afford Minneapolis, MN on the median wage?
A single worker on the $59,320 median wage takes home about $3,944 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,396 would take 35% of that.
How much is rent in Minneapolis, MN?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Minneapolis, MN are $1,236 for a studio, $1,396 for one bedroom, $1,700 for two bedrooms and $2,249 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Minneapolis, MN
Management Occupations
- Chief Executive — $209,980
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $178,080
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $174,510
- Marketing Manager — $173,040
- Financial Manager — $165,620
- Human Resources Manager — $159,390
- Sales Manager — $158,100
- Managers, All Other — $153,860
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Personal Financial Advisor — $103,410
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $103,350
- Loan Officer — $102,200
- Management Analyst — $101,560
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $97,910
- Project Management Specialist — $97,860
- Compliance Officer — $91,150
- Accountant and Auditor — $86,500
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $130,920
- Data Scientist — $129,780
- Computer Systems Analyst — $112,090
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $102,790
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $91,730
- Computer User Support Specialist — $64,890
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Electrical Engineer — $117,230
- Civil Engineer — $104,740
- Industrial Engineer — $104,730
- Mechanical Engineer — $101,180
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $73,060
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $102,940
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Social Workers, All Other — $79,790
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $75,020
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $70,530
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $64,600
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $60,770
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $56,780
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $49,750
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $159,620
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $76,220
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $103,510
- Instructional Coordinator — $81,230
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $79,730
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $79,190
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $79,010
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $62,800
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $50,390
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $45,930
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $73,780
- Graphic Designer — $65,610
- Coach and Scout — $46,620
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $160,990
- Nurse Practitioner — $133,370
- Dental Hygienist — $112,630
- Registered Nurse — $103,040
- Physical Therapist — $102,450
- Occupational Therapist — $93,600
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $93,370
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $72,370
- Medical Assistant — $52,570
- Nursing Assistant — $48,020
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,860
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $97,190
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $69,640
- Security Guard — $43,430
- Firefighter — $39,350
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,110
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,830
- Cooks, Restaurant — $39,640
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $36,420
- Cooks, Fast Food — $36,380
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,100
- Dishwasher — $34,940
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,040
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $47,160
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $40,800
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $38,600
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $46,310
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $44,790
- Recreation Worker — $38,180
- Animal Caretaker — $36,780
- Childcare Worker — $36,310
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,920
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $31,200
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $101,940
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $97,670
- Insurance Sales Agent — $84,670
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $78,470
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $77,120
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $51,760
- Parts Salesperson — $48,440
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $44,410
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $80,030
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $78,410
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $61,480
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $61,460
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $58,260
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $57,790
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $57,330
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $57,180
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $103,290
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $101,630
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $83,340
- Electrician — $81,890
- Carpenter — $74,060
- Construction Laborer — $61,970
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $60,850
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $92,200
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $77,490
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $74,800
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $73,730
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $60,490
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $60,470
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $79,820
- Machinist — $62,070
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $61,880
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $58,900
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $57,850
- Printing Press Operator — $50,170
- Prepress Technician and Worker — $49,130
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $48,710
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $211,470
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $72,140
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $64,200
- Flight Attendant — $61,230
- Bus Drivers, School — $50,240
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $49,740
- Light Truck Driver — $49,670
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $47,320