City Comparison

Minneapolis vs Montpelier

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Minneapolis

Minnesota
106
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,285
Median Income

Montpelier

Vermont
117
Above Average
$375,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$82,600
Median Income

The Verdict

9.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.4%, with Minneapolis being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Minneapolis has equivalent purchasing power to $82,783 in Montpelier.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
112
Minneapolis
131
Montpelier
Groceries
104
Minneapolis
104
Montpelier
Utilities
97
Minneapolis
123
Montpelier
Transportation
108
Minneapolis
107
Montpelier
Healthcare
105
Minneapolis
107
Montpelier

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Minneapolis has the same purchasing power as $82,783 in Montpelier.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $67,949 in Minneapolis.

Living in Minneapolis vs Montpelier

Housing Costs

Minneapolis's housing index of 112 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $375,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Minneapolis compared to $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Minneapolis and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Minneapolis vs $494/month in Montpelier. 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 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Minneapolis vs $492 in Montpelier. 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 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,285 in Minneapolis and $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,646 and $70,598 respectively. Montpelier 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 $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Minneapolis is 9.4% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Minneapolis has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,783 in Montpelier, based on the cost of living difference.
Minneapolis's housing index is 112 with median homes at $310,000, while Montpelier's is 131 with median homes at $375,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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