Austin vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living (2026)

Minneapolis is 4% more affordable than Austin. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Minnesota's 6.8%.

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At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Minneapolis, MN

COL index106 ✓
State income tax6.8%
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo ✓
Median home price$355K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexMinneapolis indexDifference
Housing144138 ✓-6%
Groceries104101 ✓-3%
Transportation105101 ✓-4%
Healthcare107103 ✓-4%
Utilities104101 ✓-3%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Minneapolis

What salary in Minneapolis gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in MinneapolisDifference
$60,000$64,000+$4,000
$80,000$85,000+$5,000
$100,000$107,000+$7,000
$130,000$139,000+$9,000
$150,000$160,000+$10,000
$200,000$213,000+$13,000

Austin vs Minneapolis: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 106 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 4%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin workers an immediate 6.8% take-home pay advantage over Minneapolis workers who pay Minnesota's 6.8% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $355,000 in Minneapolis. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,450/month in Minneapolis.

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