Cost of living in Minnesota
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in Minnesota are 1.4% below the national average, the 22nd most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Within Minnesota, metro price levels run from 86.7 in Grand Forks, ND to 104.8 in Minneapolis, MN (US = 100).
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $62,039 in 2017 dollars, 14th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- Housing in Minnesota is 8.7% below average, but housing is under a fifth of the typical budget and everything else is close to the US level, so overall prices stay near the national average.
- Relative to the US, the price level in Minnesota has barely moved: 96.8 in 2008, 98.8 in 2019 and 98.6 in 2024.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In Minnesota, utilities is the category furthest from the US average: 9.2% below
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| All items | 98.6 |
| Goods | 100.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 91.3 |
| Utilities | 90.8 |
| Other services | 100.2 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $4.18 a gallon in Minnesota (statewide average) in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.10 less than the US average of $4.28. official
Gas prices in Minnesota · Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in Minnesota
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 9 metro areas BEA measures in Minnesota are Grand Forks, ND (86.7), St. Cloud, MN (87.6) and Duluth, MN (88.8); the most expensive is Minneapolis, MN (104.8). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Grand Forks, ND is the cheapest metro area in Minnesota (86.7); Minneapolis, MN the most expensive (104.8)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND | 86.7 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 87.6 |
| Duluth, MN | 88.8 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 90.6 |
| Rochester, MN | 90.8 |
| Fargo, ND | 90.9 |
| Mankato, MN | 91.0 |
| La Crosse, WI | 91.8 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND | 86.7 | 59.7 | 95.6 | 77.1 | 91.4 | $1,132 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 87.6 | 65.1 | 95.4 | 88.7 | 92.2 | $1,224 |
| Duluth, MN | 88.8 | 71.1 | 95.3 | 87.3 | 92.2 | $1,329 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 90.6 | 77.6 | 95.5 | 80.7 | 91.9 | $1,265 |
| Rochester, MN | 90.8 | 78.6 | 95.4 | 87.4 | 92.2 | $1,590 |
| Fargo, ND | 90.9 | 81.1 | 95.7 | 77.3 | 91.3 | $1,103 |
| Mankato, MN | 91.0 | 79.9 | 95.4 | 87.1 | 92.2 | $1,236 |
| La Crosse, WI | 91.8 | 69.4 | 93.8 | 89.5 | 99.4 | $1,353 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | 111.8 | 103.1 | 93.5 | 104.4 | $1,736 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
Minnesota has become more expensive relative to the US since 2008: 96.8 then, 98.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.8 |
| 2009 | 98.7 |
| 2010 | 97.6 |
| 2011 | 97.2 |
| 2012 | 97.4 |
| 2013 | 97.5 |
| 2014 | 98.3 |
| 2015 | 97.7 |
| 2016 | 97.2 |
| 2017 | 96.7 |
| 2018 | 99.6 |
| 2019 | 98.8 |
| 2020 | 97.8 |
| 2021 | 98.4 |
| 2022 | 97.5 |
| 2023 | 98.3 |
| 2024 | 98.6 |
Goods: 96.2 in 2008, 100.5 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.2 |
| 2009 | 99.7 |
| 2010 | 98.1 |
| 2011 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 99.6 |
| 2013 | 98.5 |
| 2014 | 101.0 |
| 2015 | 100.1 |
| 2016 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 100.0 |
| 2018 | 101.0 |
| 2019 | 100.5 |
| 2020 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 100.2 |
| 2022 | 99.9 |
| 2023 | 102.1 |
| 2024 | 100.5 |
Housing (rents): 97.6 in 2008, 91.3 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.6 |
| 2009 | 95.9 |
| 2010 | 93.0 |
| 2011 | 92.6 |
| 2012 | 94.8 |
| 2013 | 94.9 |
| 2014 | 93.0 |
| 2015 | 97.2 |
| 2016 | 95.3 |
| 2017 | 95.4 |
| 2018 | 95.4 |
| 2019 | 97.5 |
| 2020 | 90.6 |
| 2021 | 93.1 |
| 2022 | 97.3 |
| 2023 | 90.7 |
| 2024 | 91.3 |
Utilities: 84.8 in 2008, 90.8 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 84.8 |
| 2009 | 84.1 |
| 2010 | 83.6 |
| 2011 | 82.8 |
| 2012 | 85.7 |
| 2013 | 85.9 |
| 2014 | 87.2 |
| 2015 | 86.1 |
| 2016 | 90.2 |
| 2017 | 90.6 |
| 2018 | 96.4 |
| 2019 | 92.7 |
| 2020 | 91.9 |
| 2021 | 92.1 |
| 2022 | 89.1 |
| 2023 | 89.4 |
| 2024 | 90.8 |
Other services: 97.7 in 2008, 100.2 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 99.8 |
| 2010 | 99.5 |
| 2011 | 98.2 |
| 2012 | 97.4 |
| 2013 | 98.3 |
| 2014 | 98.9 |
| 2015 | 97.0 |
| 2016 | 97.4 |
| 2017 | 95.6 |
| 2018 | 100.2 |
| 2019 | 98.4 |
| 2020 | 99.6 |
| 2021 | 99.2 |
| 2022 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 100.2 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in Minnesota is $62,039, 14th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- Minnesota
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| Minnesota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $49,842 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $46,732 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $48,225 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $50,086 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $51,554 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $50,857 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $51,761 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $54,124 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $54,535 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $55,771 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $55,408 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $56,749 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $60,139 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $63,244 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $61,533 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $61,394 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $62,039 | $59,195 |
Compare Minnesota with other states
States with similar prices
- Georgia 96.3
- Illinois 100.0
- Texas 97.1
- North Carolina 94.3
- South Carolina 93.7
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.