Cost of Living in Minnesota
Updated November 2026 · population 5,739,445
Minnesota prices are 1.4% below the US average (index 98.6), ranking 22nd most expensive of 51 states and DC; utilities is the biggest saving at 90.8, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,675 a month.
Prices by category
Minnesota price index by category, US average = 100: All items 98.6, Housing (rents) 91.3, Goods 100.5, Utilities 90.8, Other services 100.2
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Minnesota (whole state) | 98.6 |
| Metropolitan areas of Minnesota | 102.1 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Minnesota | 85.9 |
Cities in Minnesota
Select a column heading to sort.
| Minneapolis | 427,246 | 103.2 | $2,813 | $5,639 | $1,371 | $362,200 |
| St. Paul | 307,284 | 102.0 | $2,745 | $5,515 | $1,281 | $294,500 |
| Rochester | 122,330 | 92.5 | $2,609 | $5,150 | $1,399 | $310,500 |
| Bloomington | 88,665 | 105.8 | $2,984 | $5,693 | $1,561 | $361,700 |
| Duluth | 87,093 | 90.4 | $2,320 | $4,922 | $1,087 | $242,700 |
| Brooklyn Park | 83,876 | 102.6 | $2,768 | $5,550 | $1,325 | $336,200 |
| Plymouth | 79,220 | 108.5 | $3,222 | $6,203 | $1,766 | $491,200 |
| Woodbury | 78,305 | 110.4 | $3,269 | $6,307 | $1,908 | $450,200 |
| Lakeville | 74,354 | 109.0 | $3,020 | $6,009 | $1,806 | $452,500 |
| Blaine | 72,488 | 107.7 | $2,960 | $5,645 | $1,705 | $352,400 |
| Maple Grove | 71,173 | 109.9 | $3,342 | $6,147 | $1,868 | $418,300 |
| St. Cloud | 70,629 | 88.0 | $2,356 | $4,912 | $1,003 | $225,000 |
| Eagan | 68,000 | 107.3 | $3,088 | $5,932 | $1,679 | $397,100 |
| Burnsville | 64,463 | 105.1 | $3,005 | $5,798 | $1,513 | $355,200 |
| Coon Rapids | 63,468 | 104.9 | $2,879 | $5,666 | $1,494 | $305,800 |
| Eden Prairie | 63,051 | 109.4 | $3,217 | $6,114 | $1,833 | $473,900 |
| Apple Valley | 55,679 | 108.1 | $3,151 | $5,686 | $1,738 | $370,400 |
| Edina | 53,262 | 109.6 | $3,382 | $6,417 | $1,844 | $646,300 |
| Minnetonka | 53,064 | 108.7 | $3,305 | $6,066 | $1,779 | $475,800 |
| Moorhead | 45,036 | 91.3 | $2,170 | $4,984 | $1,033 | $249,000 |
Metro areas in Minnesota
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 104.8 | 111.8 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 91.8 | 69.4 |
| Mankato, MN | 91.0 | 79.9 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 90.9 | 81.1 |
| Rochester, MN | 90.8 | 78.6 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 90.6 | 77.6 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 88.8 | 71.1 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 87.6 | 65.1 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 86.7 | 59.7 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Minnesota.
Modelled monthly budget at Minnesota average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Minnesota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,027 | $12,324 | 38% |
| Utilities | $227 | $2,724 | 8% |
| Food at home | $284 | $3,408 | 11% |
| Transportation | $617 | $7,404 | 23% |
| Health care | $352 | $4,224 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $168 | $2,016 | 6% |
| Total | $2,675 | $32,100 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Minnesota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,232 | $14,784 | 28% |
| Utilities | $363 | $4,356 | 8% |
| Food at home | $523 | $6,276 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,223 | $14,676 | 28% |
| Health care | $653 | $7,836 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $331 | $3,972 | 8% |
| Total | $4,325 | $51,900 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Minnesota (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,429 | $17,148 | 27% |
| Utilities | $441 | $5,292 | 8% |
| Food at home | $747 | $8,964 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,625 | $19,500 | 31% |
| Health care | $608 | $7,296 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $427 | $5,124 | 8% |
| Total | $5,277 | $63,324 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
17.20¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +1.8% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline
$4.02/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +39.3% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Midwest region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 98.8 | 97.8 | 98.4 | 97.5 | 98.3 | 98.6 |
Change over the period: −0.1 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Minnesota an expensive state to live in?
Minnesota has a cost of living index of 98.6 (US = 100), 1.4% below the US average. It ranks 22nd of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 91.3 (rank 23), goods 100.5, utilities 90.8 and other services 100.2. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Minnesota?
At Minnesota state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,675 for a single adult, $4,325 for a couple and $5,277 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 102.1 and nonmetro areas 85.9.
What is the median rent and home value in Minnesota?
The median gross rent in Minnesota is $1,280 a month and the median home value is $329,300 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 29.2% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 27.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Minnesota, 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Midwest region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology