Quick answer
Denver is 17% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. A $100K salary in Minneapolis is equivalent to $83,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Minneapolis vs Denver Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Denver is 17% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+26% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$83,000
Minneapolis vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,380/mo
$1,740/mo
+26%
2BR median rent
$1,750/mo
$2,250/mo
+29%
Median home price
$320K
$565K
+77%
Avg monthly groceries
$360
$370
+3%
Avg monthly utilities
$155
$145
-6%
State income tax
Up to 9.85%
4.4%
Denver saves
Walk score
69/100
61/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
55/100
44/100
Minneapolis better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current Minneapolis salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$50,000
$72,000
$80,000
$66,000
$97,000
$100,000
$83,000
$121,000
$120,000
$99,000
$145,000
$150,000
$124,000
$181,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Minneapolis vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is Minneapolis or Denver cheaper to live in?
Denver is 17% cheaper than Minneapolis overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs Minneapolis ($1,380/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs Minneapolis $320K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in Minneapolis?
$83,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in Minneapolis based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+26% difference) and state taxes (Minneapolis: Up to 9.85% vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between Minneapolis and Denver?
1BR: Minneapolis $1,380/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (+26%). 2BR: Minneapolis $1,750/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (+29%).
Does Minneapolis or Denver have lower taxes?
Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,450.