CostIndexUSA

Minneapolis, MN vs Rochester, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MN
Minneapolis
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent
More AffordableMN
Rochester
90.8
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Rochester is moderately cheaper than Minneapolis — 13.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Minneapolis, you would need $69,300 in Rochester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.7%
Minneapolis
111.8
Rochester
78.6
🛒 Groceries7.5%
Minneapolis
103.1
Rochester
95.4
🚗 Transportation11.7%
Minneapolis
109.6
Rochester
96.8
🏥 Healthcare11.7%
Minneapolis
99.2
Rochester
87.6
Utilities6.5%
Minneapolis
93.5
Rochester
87.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Rochester, MN
$69,300
$10,700 less needed in Rochester

Formula: salary × (90.8 ÷ 104.8) = salary × 0.8664. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Minneapolis, MN

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

Rochester, MN

Median Home Price
$324,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Minneapolis has 29.7% lower housing costs compared to Rochester.

Income & Job Market

Minneapolis, MN

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

Rochester, MN

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
121,395
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Minneapolis, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Rochester, MN
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.