What it actually costs to live in Minnesota.
Minnesota’s cost-of-living index sits at 105 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #20 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Minnesota costs about 5% MORE than the US average. Median home price: $425,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $1,097/mo.
Minnesota cost components
| Component | Minnesota | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 105 | 100 |
| Median home price | $425,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $1,097/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $190/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Minnesota compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Minnesota ranks #20 for cost. That places Minnesota in the middle — moderate cost without being a particular outlier. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Minnesota metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Minneapolis has very different housing dynamics than smaller Minnesota metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
- MinneapolisCOL 105 · home $330,000rent $1,114/mo →
- DuluthCOL 90 · home $235,000rent $950/mo →
- RochesterCOL 96 · home $295,000rent $1,150/mo →
- St. CloudCOL 88 · home $235,000rent $950/mo →
More Minnesota metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Minnesota cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Minnesota?
Minnesota's MERIC cost-of-living index is 105 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Minnesota costs about 5% more than the US average.
What is the median home price in Minnesota?
Minnesota's state-level median home price is approximately $425,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Minnesota?
Minnesota's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $1,097/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Minnesota-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Minnesota COL index ~97 (near national avg) but winter heating costs add $1,500–$3,000 in northern counties; Twin Cities housing has appreciated 50%+ since 2020.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.