Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Minneapolis, MN?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 82.4% more expensive than Minneapolis, MN. This translates to spending an extra $6181 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Minneapolis, MN, you'd need approximately $224,166.667 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 248.1% more expensive than in Minneapolis, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,700/month in Minneapolis, MN.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $6181 more per month than Minneapolis, MN, or $74167 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Minneapolis, MN

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Minneapolis, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $6.2K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $224.2K in San Francisco, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 82.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$6,181

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$74.2K

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 Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:182

Median Home:$1.25M

Minneapolis, MN

The North Star State

430K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Minneapolis, MN vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Minneapolis, MN	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,807/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $6,965more	248.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $779more	56.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $130more	12.6%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $100more	5.7%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$448/mo	↓ $60.11less	11.8%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$706/mo	↓ $49.57less	6.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 248.1%

Minneapolis, MN

$2,807

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$6,965

🚗Transportation

↑ 56.4%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,380

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$779

🛒Groceries

↑ 12.6%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,029

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$130

📦Other

↑ 5.7%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,774

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$100

⚡All Utilities

↓ 11.8%

Minneapolis, MN

$508

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$60.11

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.6%

Minneapolis, MN

$756

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$49.57

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,240

To$2,460

↑ $1,220

1 Bed

From$1,400

To$2,950

↑ $1,550

2 Bed

From$1,700

To$3,570

↑ $1,870

3 Bed

From$2,250

To$4,560

↑ $2,310

Minneapolis, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$2,100/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$7,864

Difference

Home Values

Minneapolis

San Francisco

$308K

Median Value

$1.25M

↑ +1%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +8.2%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$152K - $469K

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 305% more expensive than Minneapolis

Calculate payment - Minneapolis Calculate payment - San Francisco

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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, 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.