Chicago vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living (2026)

Minneapolis is 1% more affordable than Chicago.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Chicago, IL

COL index107
State income tax4.95% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$330K ✓
VS

Minneapolis, MN

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryChicago indexMinneapolis indexDifference
Housing139138 ✓-1%
Groceries1011010%
Transportation102101 ✓-1%
Healthcare104103 ✓-1%
Utilities1011010%

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

Salary equivalency: Chicago → Minneapolis

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

Salary in ChicagoEquivalent in MinneapolisDifference
$60,000$61,000+$1,000
$80,000$82,000+$2,000
$100,000$102,000+$2,000
$130,000$133,000+$3,000
$150,000$153,000+$3,000
$200,000$204,000+$4,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Chicago, IL and Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 106 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 1%.

State income tax impact

Chicago workers pay 4.95% Illinois state income tax, while Minneapolis workers pay 6.8%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Chicago is $330,000, compared to $355,000 in Minneapolis. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Chicago versus $1,450/month in Minneapolis.

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