Minneapolis wins overall by ~18% (COL index)
Cost of living: Portland vs Minneapolis (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Portland buys roughly what $63,600 does in Minneapolis (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
−$4,336/yr
Favoring Minneapolis for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $361/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~42 months and still keep ~$43/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 | Portland Oregon | Minneapolis Minnesota | Who wins | Your impact at $75K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,300Wins | Minneapolis wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Minneapolis |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,700Better | Minneapolis wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Minneapolis |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,500 | $2,200Wins | Minneapolis wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Minneapolis |
| Median home price | $490K | $320KWins | Minneapolis wins −$170K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 103Better | Minneapolis wins -4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $16 | $15Better | Minneapolis wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $65 | $60Better | Minneapolis wins −$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $100 | $95Better | Minneapolis wins −$5/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.80 | $3.30Wins | Minneapolis wins −$0.50 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $150 | $145Better | Minneapolis wins −$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $130Wins | $195 | Portland wins +$65/mo | $780/yr saves in Portland |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $75KBetter | $75K | — | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9%Better | 9.9% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 0.0%Wins | 8.0% | Portland wins +8.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $15.00Better | Minneapolis wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $50 | $45Better | Minneapolis wins −$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 125 | 106Wins | Minneapolis wins -19 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 63 | 70Better | Minneapolis wins +7 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.
High-yield savings
Park ~$2,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Portland cheaper than Minneapolis?
No. Minneapolis is 18% cheaper than Portland based on overall cost of living indices (106 vs 125, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Portland vs Minneapolis?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Portland is $1,900/month and in Minneapolis is $1,700/month. Portland is more expensive by 12%.
How much do I need to earn in Minneapolis to match a $75,000 salary in Portland?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $63,600/year in Minneapolis to match a $75,000 salary in Portland. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Portland or Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has the lower state income tax rate at 9.9% vs 9.9%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Portland to Minneapolis?
It depends on your priorities. Minneapolis 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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Salary equivalent: Portland ↔ Minneapolis
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