Boise wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Minneapolis vs Boise (2026)
A $68,500 salary in Minneapolis buys roughly what $67,854 does in Boise (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$4,034/yr
Favoring Boise for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $336/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~45 months and still keep ~$40/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Minneapolis Minnesota | Boise Idaho | Who wins | Your impact at $69K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300Better | $1,300 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,700 | $1,600Better | Boise wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Boise |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200 | $2,000Better | Boise wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Boise |
| Median home price | $320KWins | $410K | Minneapolis wins +$90K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 103 | 98Better | Boise wins -5 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $13Wins | Boise wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $55Better | Boise wins −$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $95 | $45Wins | Boise wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Boise |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30Better | $3.40 | Minneapolis wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145 | $130Better | Boise wins −$15/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $195 | $145Wins | Boise wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Boise |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $60Better | Boise wins −$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $75KWins | $62K | Minneapolis wins −$13K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9% | 5.8%Wins | Boise wins -4.1 pp | $2,809/yr saves in Boise |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0% | 6.0%Wins | Boise wins -2.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Better | Boise wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45 | $38Wins | Boise wins −$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $6.00Wins | Boise wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 106 | 105Better | Boise wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 70Wins | 28 | Minneapolis wins -42 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,808/yr tax difference into cash back
Boise fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Boise.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Minneapolis cheaper than Boise?
No. Boise is 1% cheaper than Minneapolis based on overall cost of living indices (105 vs 106, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Minneapolis vs Boise?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Minneapolis is $1,700/month and in Boise is $1,600/month. Minneapolis is more expensive by 6%.
How much do I need to earn in Boise to match a $75,000 salary in Minneapolis?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,292/year in Boise to match a $75,000 salary in Minneapolis. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Minneapolis or Boise?
Boise has the lower state income tax rate at 5.8% vs 9.9%. The difference is 4.1 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Minneapolis to Boise?
It depends on your priorities. Boise offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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