Quick answer
Denver is 21% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $121,000 in Minneapolis.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver 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
Denver is 21% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-21% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$121,000
Denver vs Minneapolis: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$1,380/mo
-21%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$1,750/mo
-22%
Median home price
$565K
$320K
-43%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$360
-3%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$155
+7%
State income tax
4.4%
Up to 9.85%
Denver saves
Walk score
61/100
69/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
44/100
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 Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$72,000
$50,000
$80,000
$97,000
$66,000
$100,000
$121,000
$83,000
$120,000
$145,000
$99,000
$150,000
$181,000
$124,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Denver vs Minneapolis
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
FAQs
Is Denver or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Denver is 21% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs Minneapolis ($1,380/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs Minneapolis $320K.
How much salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100K in Denver?
$121,000 in Minneapolis is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-21% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Minneapolis: Up to 9.85%).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Minneapolis?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Minneapolis $1,380/mo (-21%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Minneapolis $1,750/mo (-22%).
Does Denver or Minneapolis have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,450.