Quick answer
Austin is 80% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $180,000 in Minneapolis.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Minneapolis Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 80% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-16% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$180,000
Austin vs Minneapolis: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$1,380/mo
-16%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,750/mo
-17%
Median home price
$548K
$320K
-42%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$360
-5%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$155
-11%
State income tax
None
Up to 9.85%
Austin saves
Walk score
41/100
69/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
34/100
55/100
Minneapolis better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Minneapolis to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$108,000
$33,000
$80,000
$144,000
$44,000
$100,000
$180,000
$56,000
$120,000
$216,000
$67,000
$150,000
$270,000
$83,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Minneapolis
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
FAQs
Is Austin or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Austin is 80% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Minneapolis ($1,380/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Minneapolis $320K.
How much salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100K in Austin?
$180,000 in Minneapolis is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-16% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Minneapolis: Up to 9.85%).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Minneapolis?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Minneapolis $1,380/mo (-16%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Minneapolis $1,750/mo (-17%).
Does Austin or Minneapolis have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$9,850.