Kent vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Kent
Minneapolis
💡 The Verdict
Minneapolis is 9% cheaper than Kent overall. A $75,000 salary in Kent is equivalent to $67,949 in Minneapolis.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Kent (left) vs Minneapolis (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Kent versus Minneapolis. Differences shown from Kent perspective.
| Item | Kent | Minneapolis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,280/mo | $1,070/mo | +$210.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,720/mo | $1,500/mo | +$220.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,340/mo | $1,960/mo | +$380.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.27 | $2.93 | +$0.34 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.00 | $4.28 | $-0.28 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.66 | $3.29 | +$0.37 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.28 | $5.90 | +$0.38 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.73 | $3.54 | +$0.19 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.57 | $14.50 | +$3.07 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $67,949 in Minneapolis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Minneapolis equals $82,783 in Kent.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $5101 difference is driven by Minnesota having a higher state income tax rate. Washington details → · Minnesota details →
Reading These Numbers: Kent (117) vs Minneapolis (106)
Kent at 117 is 17% above the US average, while Minneapolis at 106 is 6% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Kent, the composite index of 117 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 127, followed by groceries (112), utilities (111), transportation (118), and healthcare (124). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,720/mo in Kent and $1,500/mo in Minneapolis, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,640.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $13,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $61,000.0 difference in median home prices between Kent and Minneapolis translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Kent vs Minneapolis
Choosing between Kent and Minneapolis involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Kent against Minneapolis, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.