Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,305 in Colorado versus $1,192 in Minnesota. Overall, Minnesota runs roughly 9% cheaper on rent than Colorado, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $85,364 in Colorado and $80,269 in Minnesota — about 6% higher in Colorado. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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
2.9%
6.875%
+4.0 pp in Minnesota
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
9.85%
+5.4 pp in Minnesota
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,305
$1,192
+9% in Colorado
Median Home Value
$586,700
$345,600
+41% in Colorado
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,364
$80,269
+6% in Colorado
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.2°F
47.4°F
+2.8°F in Colorado
Colorado vs Minnesota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Colorado or Minnesota?
- Minnesota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,192 runs about 9% below Colorado's $1,305, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Colorado 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 $52,000 a year in Colorado versus $48,000 in Minnesota.
- Which has lower taxes, Colorado or Minnesota?
- Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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 Colorado/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.