Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,258 in Illinois versus $1,192 in Minnesota. Overall, Minnesota runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Illinois, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $75,134 in Illinois and $80,269 in Minnesota — about 6% higher in Minnesota. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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
6.25%
6.875%
+0.6 pp in Minnesota
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
9.85%
+4.9 pp in Minnesota
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,192
+5% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$345,600
+10% in Minnesota
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$80,269
+7% in Minnesota
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
47.4°F
+5.3°F in Illinois
Illinois vs Minnesota — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Minnesota?
- Minnesota is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,192 runs about 5% below Illinois's $1,258, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Illinois 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 Illinois versus $48,000 in Minnesota.
- Which has lower taxes, Illinois or Minnesota?
- Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/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.