dayblip

Minneapolis vs Columbus

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

Compare a different city:

VS

QUICK ANSWER

Columbus is 20% cheaper than Minneapolis overall.Minneapolis has a cost of living index of 113 vs Columbus at 90 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Minneapolis costs 39% more.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Minneapolis
MN
113
COLI index
VS
Columbus
OH
90
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryMinneapolisColumbusDifference
Overall COLI11390-20%
Housing14890-39%
Groceries104101-3%
Transport108101-6%
Healthcare107101-6%
Utilities105106+1%

Median 1BR Rent

Minneapolis
$1,450/mo
Columbus
$1,200/mo

Median Home Price

Minneapolis
$335,000
Columbus
$245,000

Median Household Income

Minneapolis
$70,715
Columbus
$56,776

Share Your Result

Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus is cheaper to live in overall. Minneapolis has a cost of living index of 113 while Columbus has an index of 90, where 100 represents the US national average. Columbus is 20% cheaper than Minneapolis overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Minneapolis is $1,450 per month compared to $1,200 in Columbus. The median home price in Minneapolis is $335,000 versus $245,000 in Columbus. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Minneapolis has a cost of living index of 113 and Columbus has an index of 90, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Minneapolis, multiply by 0.80. For example a $75,000 salary in Minneapolis is equivalent to approximately $59,735 in Columbus.

Minneapolis has a median household income of $70,715 per year versus $56,776 in Columbus. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Minneapolis to Columbus is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Columbus is 20% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.