CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Minneapolis, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
MN
Minneapolis
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Chicago is slightly cheaper than Minneapolis — 1.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $80,900 in Minneapolis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Chicago
112
Minneapolis
111.8
🛒 Groceries3.9%
Chicago
107.3
Minneapolis
103.1
🚗 Transportation+3.9%
Chicago
105.5
Minneapolis
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+3.9%
Chicago
95.5
Minneapolis
99.2
Utilities+11.8%
Chicago
83.6
Minneapolis
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Minneapolis to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Minneapolis, MN
$80,900
$900 more needed in Minneapolis

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 1.0116. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Minneapolis, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Minneapolis, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
429,606
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareRetailManufacturingTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Minneapolis, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.