Lakewood vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Minneapolis
The Verdict
Minneapolis is 25.5% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lakewood would need approximately $59,774 in Minneapolis to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $59,774 in Minneapolis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Minneapolis equals $94,104 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Minneapolis
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Minneapolis's 112, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $310,000. The $264,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,160 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,500/mo in Minneapolis, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 104 in Minneapolis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $494/month in Minneapolis. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 85 in Lakewood and 97 in Minneapolis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $388 in Minneapolis. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 105 in Minneapolis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $64,285 in Minneapolis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $60,646 respectively. Lakewood residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,500/month in Minneapolis. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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