Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Baltimore, MD's $1,410, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Minneapolis?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $48,000 in Minneapolis.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Minneapolis?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Minneapolis under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Minneapolis Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,410/mo est.

Minneapolis

Minnesota

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,350 in Minneapolis, MN. Overall, Minneapolis, MN is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $80,269 in Minneapolis, MN — about 26% higher in Minneapolis, MN. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Minneapolis, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$992

+6% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,192

+11% in Minneapolis, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,555

+15% in Minneapolis, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,761

+13% in Minneapolis, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$345,600

+58% in Minneapolis, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$80,269

+35% in Minneapolis, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$59,320

+0% in Minneapolis, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

33.0 yr

+3.1 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

48.0%

+0.5 pp in Minneapolis, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

54.5%

+19.1 pp in Minneapolis, MN

Avg Commute

29.4 min

22.5 min

+6.9 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

1,167.8

+28% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

5,182.6

+23% in Minneapolis, MN

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

47.4°F

+14.0°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

32.8 in

+9.6 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

$4.25/gal

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

about equal

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs Metro Transit (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

35.9

15.1

+58% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.19

$14.33

+17% in Baltimore, MD

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.16

$4.14

+1% in Baltimore, MD

Bread (lb)

$1.73

$1.79

+4% in Minneapolis, MN

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Minneapolis, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

$6.97

+6% in Minneapolis, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.15

+13% in Minneapolis, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

$0.63

+3% in Minneapolis, MN

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / MN)

6.875%

+0.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

9.85%

+3.3 pp in MN

Baltimore vs Minneapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Minneapolis?: Minneapolis, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Baltimore, MD's $1,410, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Minneapolis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $48,000 in Minneapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Minneapolis?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Minneapolis under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).