✦ Cost of living
Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
US = 100
Metro median gross rent: $1,427/mo · U.S. Census ACS 2023
In plain terms: Minneapolis is about 4% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,450/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing109+9%
- Food & groceries101+1%
- Transport103+3%
- Utilities96−4%
- Healthcare105+5%
- Goods & services103+3%
Is Minneapolis expensive?
Not really — Minneapolis indexes at 104 against a US average of 100, so a month here lands within a few percent of a typical US city. Expect the surprises in individual lines rather than in the total.
Of the 87 cities we track, Minneapolis ranks #34 by overall cost — 53 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Minneapolis costs
One person
$3,070/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,290/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$7,340/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | $2,600 |
| Food & groceries | $460 | $680 | $1,130 |
| Transport | $620 | $910 | $1,520 |
| Utilities | $190 | $290 | $480 |
| Healthcare | $290 | $430 | $720 |
| Goods & services | $360 | $530 | $890 |
| Total per month | $3,070 | $4,290 | $7,340 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Minneapolis
High quality of life, strong jobs and lakes everywhere — winters are seriously cold.
- Currency
- US dollar ($ USD)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC-6
- Internet
- 200 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 55/100
- Climate
- ❄ -8°C · ☀ 23°C · 198 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- North Loop · Uptown · Northeast
About
“City of Lakes”
High quality of life, strong jobs and lakes everywhere — winters are seriously cold.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 44.98, -93.27
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Quality of life
65/100
Safety
55/100
Healthcare
82/100
Pollution
35/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
-8 °C
Jul avg
+23 °C
Sunny days
198/yr
Walkability
70/100
Public transit
58/100
Family-friendly
70/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 40
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Private health insurance
- $450/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Minneapolis without a car?
65/100
Car-free score
70/100
Walkability
58/100
Public transport
Mostly — at 65/100, Minneapolis handles everyday trips on foot and by public transport, but a car still helps for weekend trips, bulk shopping and anything outside the built-up core.
Transport in Minneapolis indexes at 103 against a US average of 100 — about 3% more expensive than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Minneapolis ranks #54 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Minneapolis — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$1,450
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,150
- Inexpensive meal$18
- Monthly transit pass$96
- Utilities (monthly)$160
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Minneapolis, MN expensive to live in?
Minneapolis, MN's cost-of-living index is 104 (US average = 100) — about 4% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #34 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,070 a month and a family of four around $7,340, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis, MN's cost-of-living index is 104 (US average = 100) — about 4% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,450 per month.
What are the average living costs in Minneapolis, MN?
Living costs in Minneapolis, MN are about 4% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 104 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,450. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Minneapolis, MN?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,450 per month, and around $1,150 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis, MN averages around -8 °C in January and +23 °C in July, with roughly 198 sunny days a year.
Is Minneapolis, MN safe?
Minneapolis, MN scores 55 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Minneapolis, MN without a car?
Minneapolis, MN scores 65/100 on our car-free score — 70/100 for walkability and 58/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.