Quick answer
Houston is 142% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. A $100K salary in Houston is equivalent to $242,000 in Minneapolis.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Houston 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
Houston is 142% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+8% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$242,000
Houston vs Minneapolis: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,280/mo
$1,380/mo
+8%
2BR median rent
$1,620/mo
$1,750/mo
+8%
Median home price
$305K
$320K
+5%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$360
+3%
Avg monthly utilities
$190
$155
-18%
State income tax
None
Up to 9.85%
Houston saves
Walk score
48/100
69/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
36/100
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 Houston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$145,000
$25,000
$80,000
$194,000
$33,000
$100,000
$242,000
$41,000
$120,000
$291,000
$50,000
$150,000
$364,000
$62,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Houston vs Minneapolis
Who Each City Is Best For
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
FAQs
Is Houston or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Houston is 142% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Minneapolis ($1,380/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Minneapolis $320K.
How much salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100K in Houston?
$242,000 in Minneapolis is equivalent to $100,000 in Houston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+8% difference) and state taxes (Houston: None vs Minneapolis: Up to 9.85%).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Minneapolis?
1BR: Houston $1,280/mo vs Minneapolis $1,380/mo (+8%). 2BR: Houston $1,620/mo vs Minneapolis $1,750/mo (+8%).
Does Houston or Minneapolis have lower taxes?
Houston (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.