Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $1,126 in Minnesota. Overall, Minnesota runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $80,269 in Minnesota — about 1% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 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
6%
6.875%
+0.9 pp in Minnesota
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
9.85%
+4.5 pp in Minnesota
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$1,126
+1% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$456,000
$287,500
+37% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$80,269
+1% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
47.1°F
+5.4°F in Idaho
Idaho vs Minnesota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Minnesota?
- Minnesota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,126 runs about 1% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $45,000 in Minnesota.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Minnesota?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 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 1/3 cities we track in Idaho/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.