Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,253 in Arizona versus $1,192 in Minnesota. Overall, Minnesota runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Arizona, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $77,041 in Arizona and $80,269 in Minnesota — about 4% higher in Minnesota. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.6%
6.875%
+1.3 pp in Minnesota
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
9.85%
+7.3 pp in Minnesota
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,253
$1,192
+5% in Arizona
Median Home Value
$364,300
$345,600
+5% in Arizona
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$77,041
$80,269
+4% in Minnesota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
75.1°F
47.4°F
+27.7°F in Arizona
Arizona vs Minnesota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arizona or Minnesota?
- Minnesota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,192 runs about 5% below Arizona's $1,253, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Arizona than in Minnesota?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Arizona versus $48,000 in Minnesota.
- Which has lower taxes, Arizona or Minnesota?
- Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Arizona/Minnesota — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.