Living Cost Compare
Minneapolis

Minnesota

$1,350/mo est.

vs
New York City

New York

$1,990/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,350 in Minneapolis, MN versus $1,990 in New York City, NY. Overall, Minneapolis, MN is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $80,269 in Minneapolis, MN and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 1% higher in Minneapolis, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$992
$1,633
+65% in New York City, NY
1 Bedroom
$1,192
$1,705
+43% in New York City, NY
2 Bedroom
$1,555
$1,781
+15% in New York City, NY
3 Bedroom
$1,761
$2,065
+17% in New York City, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$345,600
$751,700
+118% in New York City, NY

Income

Median Household Income
$80,269
$79,713
+1% in Minneapolis, MN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,320
$61,430
+4% in New York City, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.0 yr
38.0 yr
+5.0 yr in New York City, NY
Homeownership
48.0%
32.8%
+15.2 pp in Minneapolis, MN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
54.5%
41.0%
+13.5 pp in Minneapolis, MN
Avg Commute
22.5 min
40.6 min
+18.1 min in New York City, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,167.8
690.9
+41% in Minneapolis, MN
Property Crime
5,182.6
2,413.5
+53% 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
47.4°F
55.0°F
+7.6°F in New York City, NY
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
49.9 in
+17.1 in in New York City, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.25/gal
$4.44/gal
+4% in New York City, NY

Area: Minnesota vs New York City.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
$3.00
+50% in New York City, NY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.1
28.6
+89% in New York City, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.33
$18.90
+32% in New York City, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.14
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.92
+7% in New York City, NY
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.25
+38% in Minneapolis, MN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.90
+1% in Minneapolis, MN
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$2.02
+6% in Minneapolis, MN
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.68
+7% in New York City, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / NY)
6.875%
4%
+2.9 pp in MN
Income Tax (top rate)
9.85%
10.90%
+1.1 pp in NY

Minneapolis vs New York City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Minneapolis or New York City?
Minneapolis, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below New York City, NY's $1,990, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Minneapolis than in New York City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Minneapolis versus $68,000 in New York City.
Which has lower taxes, Minneapolis or New York City?
Minneapolis is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).