Is it cheaper to live in Minneapolis or Reno?

Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Minneapolis, MN's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Minneapolis or Reno?

Minneapolis is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Minneapolis vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Minneapolis

Minnesota

$1,370/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,370 in Minneapolis, MN versus $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Reno, NV is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Minneapolis, MN, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $80,269 in Minneapolis, MN and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 2% higher in Minneapolis, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Minneapolis, MN

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$992

$964

+3% in Minneapolis, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,192

$1,206

+1% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,518

+2% in Minneapolis, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,761

$1,885

+7% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$345,600

$498,600

+44% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$80,269

$78,448

+2% in Minneapolis, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,320

$49,660

+16% in Minneapolis, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

37.3 yr

+4.3 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

48.0%

49.4%

+1.4 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.5%

35.7%

+18.8 pp in Minneapolis, MN

Avg Commute

22.5 min

20.6 min

+1.9 min in Minneapolis, MN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,168.5

528.9

+55% in Minneapolis, MN

Property Crime

5,183.1

2,489.3

+52% 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

53.8°F

+6.4°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

32.8 in

7.4 in

+25.4 in in Minneapolis, MN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Reno, NV

Area: Minnesota vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.9

13.6

+20% in Minneapolis, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.95

$12.09

+19% in Minneapolis, MN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Minneapolis, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Minneapolis, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / NV)

6.875%

6.85%

+0.0 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.85%

None

+9.8 pp in MN

Minneapolis vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Minneapolis or Reno?: Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Minneapolis, MN's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Minneapolis than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Minneapolis versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Minneapolis or Reno?: Minneapolis is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).