Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
Minneapolis is 5% more affordable than Hartford. A $75,000 salary in Hartford is equivalent to $70,982 in Minneapolis.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Connecticut salaries · Minnesota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Hartford has a housing index of 121 while Minneapolis sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Hartford costs $215,000 compared to $310,000 in Minneapolis, a difference of $95,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Hartford versus $1,500 in Minneapolis.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Hartford scores 106 while Minneapolis scores 104.
Healthcare costs in Hartford (114) are higher than Minneapolis (105).
Median household income in Hartford is $40,068 compared to $64,285 in Minneapolis. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Minneapolis.
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