Houston vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 16% less expensive than Minneapolis. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Minnesota's 6.8%.

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At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓
VS

Minneapolis, MN

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexMinneapolis indexDifference
Housing118 ✓138+20%
Groceries87 ✓101+14%
Transportation88 ✓101+13%
Healthcare88 ✓103+15%
Utilities89 ✓101+12%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Minneapolis

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in MinneapolisDifference
$60,000$77,000+$17,000
$80,000$103,000+$23,000
$100,000$129,000+$29,000
$130,000$168,000+$38,000
$150,000$193,000+$43,000
$200,000$258,000+$58,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Minneapolis, MN, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 106 for Minneapolis — a difference of approximately 16%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston 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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $355,000 in Minneapolis. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,450/month in Minneapolis.

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