Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago and Minneapolis have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Minnesota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Minneapolis sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $310,000 in Minneapolis, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,500 in Minneapolis.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chicago scores 104 while Minneapolis scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are lower than Minneapolis (105). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $64,285 in Minneapolis. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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