Median rent is 13% lower in Minneapolis ($1,371/mo vs $1,582/mo). Buying is cheaper in Minneapolis, where the median home runs $362,200 versus $420,700. Households earn more in Phoenix ($81,332 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
Minneapolis, MN
City B
Phoenix, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Phoenix, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Minneapolis, MN?
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$75,269
You'd need $269 more (0% higher).
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
Minneapolis
Minnesota
Phoenix
Arizona
👥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 $1,582/mo in Phoenix (13% gap). Median home values are within 14% of each other: $362,200 in Minneapolis and $420,700 in Phoenix.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Minneapolis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Phoenix
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Phoenix has cleaner air on average: 28.0 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 Phoenix if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
Is Minneapolis cheaper than Phoenix?
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 Minneapolis vs Phoenix?
Median rent is $1,371/mo in Minneapolis, MN and $1,582/mo in Phoenix, AZ. Minneapolis, MN has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Minneapolis or Phoenix?
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis, MN and $81,332 in Phoenix, AZ. Phoenix, 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?
Phoenix, AZ has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Minneapolis or Phoenix?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match my Minneapolis income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN is equivalent to roughly $100,359 in Phoenix, AZ (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
