Minneapolis vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Minneapolis
Montgomery
The Verdict
Living in Montgomery costs 34.2% less than Minneapolis. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Minneapolis, you would need $55,896 in Montgomery.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Minneapolis has the same purchasing power as $55,896 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $100,633 in Minneapolis.
Living in Minneapolis vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Minneapolis's housing index of 112 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $162,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Minneapolis compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Minneapolis and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Minneapolis vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 97 in Minneapolis and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Minneapolis vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 105 in Minneapolis and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $64,285 in Minneapolis and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,646 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,500/month to housing in Minneapolis vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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