Minneapolis vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Minneapolis
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.5%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Minneapolis has equivalent purchasing power to $62,264 in Racine.
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 $62,264 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $90,341 in Minneapolis.
Living in Minneapolis vs Racine
Housing Costs
Minneapolis's housing index of 112 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $126,000. The $184,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,964 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Minneapolis compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Minneapolis and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Minneapolis vs $461/month in Racine. Racine offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Minneapolis and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Minneapolis vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Minneapolis and 111 in Racine. 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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,646 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases