Is San Jose, CA cheaper than Minneapolis, MN?

Based on cost of living data, San Jose, CA is 86.1% more expensive than Minneapolis, MN. This translates to spending an extra $6458 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Minneapolis, MN, you'd need approximately $227,500 in San Jose, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Jose, CA is 244.4% more expensive than in Minneapolis, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,445/month in San Jose, CA compared to $1,700/month in Minneapolis, MN.

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

Living in San Jose, CA costs approximately $6458 more per month than Minneapolis, MN, or $77500 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Minneapolis, MN

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San Jose, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Minneapolis, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $6.5K/month more in San Jose, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $227.5K in San Jose, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 86.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$6,458

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$77.5K

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 Jose, CA

Population:1013K

Cost Index:186

Median Home:$1.35M

Minneapolis, MN

The North Star State

430K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

San Jose, CA

The Golden State

1.0M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 1.0M residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Minneapolis, MN vs San Jose, CA

Category	Minneapolis, MN	San Jose, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,807/mo	$9,667/mo	↑ $6,861more	244.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,129/mo	↑ $99.93more	9.7%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $50.22more	2.8%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$706/mo	↓ $49.57less	6.6%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$464/mo	↓ $43.71less	8.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,407/mo	↑ $27.32more	2.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 244.4%

Minneapolis, MN

$2,807

San Jose, CA

$9,667

Difference

$6,861

🛒Groceries

↑ 9.7%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,029

San Jose, CA

$1,129

Difference

$99.93

📦Other

↑ 2.8%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,774

San Jose, CA

$1,825

Difference

$50.22

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.6%

Minneapolis, MN

$756

San Jose, CA

$706

Difference

$49.57

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.6%

Minneapolis, MN

$508

San Jose, CA

$464

Difference

$43.71

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.0%

Minneapolis, MN

$1,380

San Jose, CA

$1,407

Difference

$27.32

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,240

To$2,590

↑ $1,350

1 Bed

From$1,400

To$2,950

↑ $1,550

2 Bed

From$1,700

To$3,445

↑ $1,745

3 Bed

From$2,250

To$4,550

↑ $2,300

Minneapolis, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$2,100/mo

San Jose, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,190–$4,060/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

$15,199

Monthly in San Jose, CA

$6,945

Difference

Home Values

Minneapolis

San Jose

$308K

Median Value

$1.35M

↑ +1%

YoY Change

↓ -2.5%

↑ +8.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +35.5%

$152K - $469K

Price Range

$671K - $2.59M

Homes in San Jose are 339% more expensive than Minneapolis

Calculate payment - Minneapolis Calculate payment - San Jose

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 Jose, 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 Jose, 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.