Minnesota Cost of Living Calculator
Minnesota scores 93.4 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 79.1, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $70,050 here; its highest part is health care at 114.4.
| Index | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 93.4 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 79.1 |
| Groceries | 99.2 |
| Utilities | 95.4 |
| Transportation | 93.0 |
| Health care | 114.4 |
| Other goods and services | 100.0 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$4,950.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Minnesota's figures fill the destination side: composite 93.4 for the salary, housing 79.1 for the rent, and 9.85% top rate for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Minnesota ranks 20th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (93.4). Median household income: $87,117 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,532 a month.
What Minnesota's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Minnesota | Rent at the U.S. average → in Minnesota | Minnesota income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $46,700 | $1,000 → $791 | $1,699 (3.6%) |
| $75,000 | $70,050 | $1,500 → $1,187 | $3,264 (4.7%) |
| $100,000 | $93,400 | $2,000 → $1,582 | $4,852 (5.2%) |
| $150,000 | $140,100 | $2,500 → $1,977 | $8,192 (5.8%) |
Minnesota 2026 single-filer rates, after Minnesota Department of Revenue — 2025 standard deduction amounts; Inflation Adjusted Amounts 2025 (Minn. Stat. 290.0123) (tax year 2025).
Minnesota and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Minnesota | $1,500 rent there = in Minnesota | $75,000 in Minnesota = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 86.1 / 70.6 | $81,359 | $1,681 | $69,138 | 3.8% flat → 9.85% top rate |
| North Dakota | 90.5 / 77.0 | $77,403 | $1,541 | $72,671 | 2.5% top rate → 9.85% top rate |
| South Dakota | 93.5 / 86.3 | $74,920 | $1,375 | $75,080 | none on wages → 9.85% top rate |
| Wisconsin | 95.7 / 91.2 | $73,197 | $1,301 | $76,847 | 7.65% top rate → 9.85% top rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Minnesota?
Minnesota's composite index is 93.4 for Q2 2026, the 20th lowest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $70,050 buys in Minnesota.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Minnesota?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Minnesota's highest part is health care (114.4) and its lowest is housing (79.1); health care is above the national average, the other five at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Minnesota at 30% of income?
About $61,280 a year: Minnesota's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,532 a month, and $18,384 a year is 30% of that salary.