Quick answer
Minneapolis is 36% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $64,000 in Minneapolis.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles 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 36% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-43% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$64,000
Los Angeles vs Minneapolis: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$1,380/mo
-43%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$1,750/mo
-45%
Median home price
$850K
$320K
-62%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$360
-18%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$155
+11%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Up to 9.85%
Minneapolis saves
Walk score
68/100
69/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
53/100
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 Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$38,000
$94,000
$80,000
$51,000
$125,000
$100,000
$64,000
$156,000
$120,000
$77,000
$187,000
$150,000
$96,000
$234,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Minneapolis
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Minneapolis is 36% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Minneapolis 1BR rent ($1,380/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Minneapolis $320K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$64,000 in Minneapolis is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-43% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Minneapolis: Up to 9.85%).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Minneapolis?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Minneapolis $1,380/mo (-43%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Minneapolis $1,750/mo (-45%).
Does Los Angeles or Minneapolis have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$3,450.