

Chicago vs Minneapolis
$341/mo more in Minneapolis
ChicagoMinneapolisAbout 357 miles apart, close enough to drive.
- Minneapolis leaves you more
- Rent under 30% of pay
- Real winters
Same paycheck, two cities. $2,767/mo in Minneapolis. $2,426/mo in Chicago. +$4,092 a year.
Chicago
$2,426
left each month
Minneapolis
$2,767
+$341 vs Chicago
Compare
Same paycheck, another city.
Next
In 2022-2023, 1,269 households moved Chicago → Minneapolis (avg AGI $81,690). 1,547 went the other way. The whole move →
+$341 / mo
See full breakdown
| Per month | Chicago | Minneapolis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $8,208 | $8,287 | +$78 |
| Income and payroll tax | $2,130 | $2,200 | +$70 |
| Take-home pay | $6,079 | $6,087 | +$8 |
| Rent | $1,782 | $1,366 | −$416 |
| Getting around | $392 | $504 | +$112 |
| Groceries | $408 | $400 | −$8 |
| Healthcare | $459 | $450 | −$9 |
| Utilities | $255 | $250 | −$5 |
| Everything else | $357 | $350 | −$7 |
| Left over | $2,426 | $2,767 | +$341 |
Salary to match Chicago
$93,000
Gross pay in Minneapolis that leaves the same amount as $98,500 in Chicago.
Tax difference
−$560
A year, in state and local income tax. Effective rates: 25.9% in Chicago, 26.5% in Minneapolis.
More about Minneapolis
Chicago, IL in full
World-class city amenities at Midwest home prices, funded by 2.1% property tax.
Minneapolis, MN in full
Strong wages, good bones, and a January that averages 9°F at night.
The other way
Start in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis → Chicago →Questions
Is the cost of living lower in Minneapolis than Chicago?
For one adult in a one-bedroom, Minneapolis leaves about $341 more a month. A one-bedroom is about $1,782 in Chicago and $1,366 in Minneapolis.
Does Minneapolis have state income tax?
Minneapolis is in Minnesota, which taxes wage income.
What changes if you move from Chicago to Minneapolis?
The paycheck is taxed in Minnesota. Rent stays at the same bedroom count. What you keep is the difference.
Left over each month is take-home pay minus rent and the rest of the bills. The gap between Chicago and Minneapolis changes with the job, remote or local pay, and bedrooms. How we figure this · Leftover vs a COL index · Why a cheaper COL% can still lose leftover.
Estimate, not a quote. How we figure this.