Quick answer
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Minneapolis is equivalent to $109,000 in Portland.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Minneapolis vs Portland Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+15% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$109,000
Minneapolis vs Portland: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,380/mo
$1,590/mo
+15%
2BR median rent
$1,750/mo
$1,980/mo
+13%
Median home price
$320K
$498K
+56%
Avg monthly groceries
$360
$400
+11%
Avg monthly utilities
$155
$120
-23%
State income tax
Up to 9.85%
Up to 9.9%
Minneapolis saves
Walk score
69/100
67/100
Minneapolis better
Transit score
55/100
51/100
Minneapolis better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Portland to maintain the same standard of living as your current Minneapolis salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$66,000
$55,000
$80,000
$88,000
$73,000
$100,000
$109,000
$91,000
$120,000
$131,000
$110,000
$150,000
$164,000
$137,000
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 Portland
Who Each City Is Best For
Minneapolis is best for
- ✓corporate professionals
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts (winter sports)
- ✓arts and culture seekers
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
FAQs
Is Minneapolis or Portland cheaper to live in?
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper than Portland overall. Minneapolis 1BR rent ($1,380/mo) vs Portland ($1,590/mo). Median home price: Minneapolis $320K vs Portland $498K.
How much salary do I need in Portland to match $100K in Minneapolis?
$109,000 in Portland is equivalent to $100,000 in Minneapolis based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+15% difference) and state taxes (Minneapolis: Up to 9.85% vs Portland: Up to 9.9%).
What is the rent difference between Minneapolis and Portland?
1BR: Minneapolis $1,380/mo vs Portland $1,590/mo (+15%). 2BR: Minneapolis $1,750/mo vs Portland $1,980/mo (+13%).
Does Minneapolis or Portland have lower taxes?
Minneapolis (MN) has Up to 9.85% state income tax. Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$50.