Quick answer
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Portland is equivalent to $91,000 in Minneapolis.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Portland 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
-13% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$91,000
Portland vs Minneapolis: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,590/mo
$1,380/mo
-13%
2BR median rent
$1,980/mo
$1,750/mo
-12%
Median home price
$498K
$320K
-36%
Avg monthly groceries
$400
$360
-10%
Avg monthly utilities
$120
$155
+29%
State income tax
Up to 9.9%
Up to 9.85%
Minneapolis saves
Walk score
67/100
69/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
51/100
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 Portland salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$55,000
$66,000
$80,000
$73,000
$88,000
$100,000
$91,000
$109,000
$120,000
$110,000
$131,000
$150,000
$137,000
$164,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Portland vs Minneapolis
Who Each City Is Best For
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
FAQs
Is Portland or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper than Portland overall. Minneapolis 1BR rent ($1,380/mo) vs Portland ($1,590/mo). Median home price: Minneapolis $320K vs Portland $498K.
How much salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100K in Portland?
$91,000 in Minneapolis is equivalent to $100,000 in Portland based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-13% difference) and state taxes (Portland: Up to 9.9% vs Minneapolis: Up to 9.85%).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Minneapolis?
1BR: Portland $1,590/mo vs Minneapolis $1,380/mo (-13%). 2BR: Portland $1,980/mo vs Minneapolis $1,750/mo (-12%).
Does Portland or Minneapolis have lower taxes?
Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$50.