Seattle vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living (2026)

Minneapolis is 29% more affordable than Seattle. Plus, Washington has no state income tax vs Minnesota's 6.8%.

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At a glance

Seattle, WA

COL index150
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo
Median home price$780K
VS

Minneapolis, MN

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexMinneapolis indexDifference
Housing198138 ✓-60%
Groceries141101 ✓-40%
Transportation140101 ✓-39%
Healthcare145103 ✓-42%
Utilities135101 ✓-34%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Minneapolis

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in MinneapolisDifference
$60,000$47,000$-13,000
$80,000$63,000$-17,000
$100,000$78,000$-22,000
$130,000$102,000$-28,000
$150,000$117,000$-33,000
$200,000$156,000$-44,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 106 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 29%.

State income tax impact

Washington has no state income tax, giving Seattle 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 Seattle is $780,000, compared to $355,000 in Minneapolis. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200/month in Seattle versus $1,450/month in Minneapolis.

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