Skyline of Minneapolis
Cost of Living: 106.5 429,954

Minneapolis, MN, US

City of Lakes with parks, bike trails, and a thriving arts scene despite brutal winters.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 106.5

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 118.2

Above Average

Median Income $70,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.9%

Job market health

Minneapolis vs US Average

Cost of Living
Minneapolis: 106.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Minneapolis: 118.2
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Minneapolis: 7.25%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 7.2%
  • Sales Tax: 8.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $70,000
  • Unemployment: 2.9%
  • Population: 429,954

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 198/year
  • Summer High: 83°F
  • Winter Low: 7°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: $320,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1400/mo

Cost of Living

Minneapolis's cost of living index is 106.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryMinneapolisNational AverageDifference
Overall106.5100+6.5%
Housing118.2100+18.2%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$320,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft$213

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Minneapolis:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$115Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$104Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$55Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$324Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Minneapolis scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
106.5
Rent
$1400
Sunny Days
198
Tax
7.25%
Unemployment
2.9%
Climate
83°F / 7°F
Safety
18.0 homicides/100k
Population
429,954
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Minneapolis has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January27°F7°F2.5"
April68°F22°F2.8"
July83°F58°F1.5"
October63°F25°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Minneapolis faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms and blizzards.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and flash flooding.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 7.25%
  • Sales Tax: 8.03%
  • Property Tax: ~1.25% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.9%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Minneapolis per 100,000 residents:

1,160.2
Violent Crime
5,142.9
Property Crime
18.0
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

60/100
School Quality Score
Better than 55% of US cities
?
148
Total Schools
8.4:1
Student:Teacher
91.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Minneapolis, MN, US?

The cost of living index in Minneapolis is 106.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Minneapolis?

The median home price in Minneapolis is $320,000. The housing index is 118.2.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Minneapolis is approximately $1400/mo.

Does Minneapolis, MN have income tax?

Minneapolis is in MN, which has an income tax rate of 7.25%.

What is the climate like in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis enjoys approximately 198 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 83°F, while winter lows can drop to around 7°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.