Median rent is 15% lower in Minneapolis ($1,371/mo vs $1,620/mo). Buying is cheaper in Minneapolis, where the median home runs $362,200 versus $408,000. Households earn more in Mesa ($82,752 vs $80,846 a year). Taken together, Minneapolis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 104.3 against 104.7 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Mesa, AZ
City B
Minneapolis, MN
How much would you need to earn in Minneapolis, MN to maintain your standard of living from Mesa, AZ?
Equivalent salary in Minneapolis, MN
$74,732
You could earn $268 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Mesa
Arizona
Minneapolis
Minnesota
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Minneapolis at $1,371/mo compared to $1,620/mo in Mesa (15% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $408,000 in Mesa and $362,200 in Minneapolis.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Mesa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Minneapolis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Mesa has cleaner air on average: 32.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Minneapolis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,371/mo median).
Pick Mesa if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 32.0).
Is Mesa cheaper than Minneapolis?
Minneapolis is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 104.3 versus 104.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Minneapolis.
How much is rent in Mesa vs Minneapolis?
Median rent is $1,620/mo in Mesa, AZ and $1,371/mo in Minneapolis, MN. Minneapolis, MN has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Mesa or Minneapolis?
Median household income is $82,752 in Mesa, AZ and $80,846 in Minneapolis, MN. Mesa, AZ has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Mesa, AZ has better air quality on average: 32.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Mesa or Minneapolis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Minneapolis to match my Mesa income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Mesa, AZ is equivalent to roughly $99,643 in Minneapolis, MN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
