Quick answer
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Boston is equivalent to $91,000 in Minneapolis.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boston 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
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-47% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$91,000
Boston vs Minneapolis: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,600/mo
$1,380/mo
-47%
2BR median rent
$3,400/mo
$1,750/mo
-49%
Median home price
$720K
$320K
-56%
Avg monthly groceries
$420
$360
-14%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$155
-3%
State income tax
5%
Up to 9.85%
Boston saves
Walk score
83/100
69/100
Boston better
Transit score
75/100
55/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Minneapolis to maintain the same standard of living as your current Boston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$55,000
$66,000
$80,000
$73,000
$88,000
$100,000
$91,000
$110,000
$120,000
$109,000
$132,000
$150,000
$136,000
$165,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Boston vs Minneapolis
Who Each City Is Best For
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
FAQs
Is Boston or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper than Boston overall. Minneapolis 1BR rent ($1,380/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Minneapolis $320K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100K in Boston?
$91,000 in Minneapolis is equivalent to $100,000 in Boston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-47% difference) and state taxes (Boston: 5% vs Minneapolis: Up to 9.85%).
What is the rent difference between Boston and Minneapolis?
1BR: Boston $2,600/mo vs Minneapolis $1,380/mo (-47%). 2BR: Boston $3,400/mo vs Minneapolis $1,750/mo (-49%).
Does Boston or Minneapolis have lower taxes?
Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,850.