Minneapolis vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Minneapolis
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 0.9%, with Minneapolis being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Minneapolis has equivalent purchasing power to $75,708 in Springfield.
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 $75,708 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $74,299 in Minneapolis.
Living in Minneapolis vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Minneapolis's housing index of 112 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $378,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Minneapolis compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Minneapolis and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Minneapolis vs $480/month in Springfield. 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 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Minneapolis vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Minneapolis and 102 in Springfield. 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 $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,646 and $53,832 respectively. Minneapolis residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,500/month to housing in Minneapolis vs $1,344/month in Springfield. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 4 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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