Is San Diego, CA cheaper than Minneapolis, MN?

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 33.3% more expensive than Minneapolis, MN. This translates to spending an extra $2500 per month.

What salary do I need in San Diego, CA to live like I do in Minneapolis, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in Minneapolis, MN, you'd need approximately $180,000 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Minneapolis, MN and San Diego, CA?

Housing in San Diego, CA is 86.1% more expensive than in Minneapolis, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $1,700/month in Minneapolis, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Minneapolis, MN to San Diego, CA?

Living in San Diego, CA costs approximately $2500 more per month than Minneapolis, MN, or $30000 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Minneapolis, MN

Tap to swap

San Diego, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Minneapolis, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.5K/month more in San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $180.0K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area

Overall Cost

↑ 33.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,500

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$30.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Minneapolis, MN

Population:430K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$308K

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:133

Median Home:$980K

Minneapolis, MN

The North Star State

430K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 430K residents.

San Diego, CA

The Golden State

1.4M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Year-round perfect weather
•Major military presence
•Biotech hub

Major Industries

MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Minneapolis, MN vs San Diego, CA

Category	Minneapolis, MN	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,807/mo	$5,223/mo	↑ $2,417more	86.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,571/mo	↑ $191more	13.9%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$634/mo	↑ $126more	24.7%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$638/mo	↓ $118less	15.6%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,892/mo	↑ $117more	6.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $49.96more	4.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 86.1%

Minneapolis, MN

$2,807

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$2,417

🚗Transportation

↑ 13.9%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,380

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$191

⚡All Utilities

↑ 24.7%

Minneapolis, MN

$508

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$126

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.6%

Minneapolis, MN

$756

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$118

less

📦Other

↑ 6.6%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,774

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$117

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.9%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,029

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$49.96

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,240

To$2,565

↑ $1,325

1 Bed

From$1,400

To$2,755

↑ $1,355

2 Bed

From$1,700

To$3,360

↑ $1,660

3 Bed

From$2,250

To$4,475

↑ $2,225

Minneapolis, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$2,100/mo

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$3,690/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,254

Monthly in Minneapolis, MN

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$2,783

Difference

Home Values

Minneapolis

San Diego

$308K

Median Value

$980K

↑ +1%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↑ +8.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$152K - $469K

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 218% more expensive than Minneapolis

Calculate payment - Minneapolis Calculate payment - San Diego

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $195

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$16.22

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.1%

Rate difference

Minneapolis, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

San Diego, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Minneapolis, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

San Diego, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.