Living Cost Compare
Minneapolis

Minnesota

$1,350/mo est.

vs
Virginia Beach

Virginia

$1,540/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 $1,540 in Virginia Beach, VA. Overall, Minneapolis, MN is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Virginia Beach, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $80,269 in Minneapolis, MN and $90,685 in Virginia Beach, VA — about 11% higher in Virginia Beach, VA. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Minneapolis, MN
Virginia Beach, VA

Rent

Studio
$992
$1,496
+51% in Virginia Beach, VA
1 Bedroom
$1,192
$1,357
+14% in Virginia Beach, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,555
$1,559
+0% in Virginia Beach, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,761
$1,857
+5% in Virginia Beach, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$345,600
$366,300
+6% in Virginia Beach, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$80,269
$90,685
+13% in Virginia Beach, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,320
$49,430
+17% in Minneapolis, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.0 yr
37.4 yr
+4.4 yr in Virginia Beach, VA
Homeownership
48.0%
64.9%
+16.9 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
54.5%
40.4%
+14.1 pp in Minneapolis, MN
Avg Commute
22.5 min
23.2 min
+0.7 min in Virginia Beach, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,167.8
96.7
+92% in Minneapolis, MN
Property Crime
5,182.6
1,664.3
+68% 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
59.9°F
+12.5°F in Virginia Beach, VA
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
44.3 in
+11.5 in in Virginia Beach, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.25/gal
$4.30/gal
+1% in Virginia Beach, VA

Area: Minnesota vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
$2.00
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.1
17.1
+13% in Virginia Beach, VA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$14.33
$18.75
+31% in Virginia Beach, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in Virginia Beach, VA
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.73
+3% in Minneapolis, MN
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Minneapolis, MN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.56
+6% in Minneapolis, MN
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$1.90
+12% in Minneapolis, MN
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.61
+3% in Minneapolis, MN

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MN / VA)
6.875%
5.3%
+1.6 pp in MN
Income Tax (top rate)
9.85%
5.75%
+4.1 pp in MN

Minneapolis vs Virginia Beach — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Minneapolis or Virginia Beach?
Minneapolis, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Virginia Beach, VA's $1,540, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Minneapolis than in Virginia Beach?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Minneapolis versus $54,000 in Virginia Beach.
Which has lower taxes, Minneapolis or Virginia Beach?
Minneapolis is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Virginia Beach under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).