Minneapolis VS Philadelphia

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Minneapolis
United States
61.4
COLI Index
#43
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Philadelphia
United States
68.8
COLI Index
#25
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
61.4
68.8
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,550
$1,550
Total Deductions
27.0%
23.1%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 1.0000 USD
Is Minneapolis cheaper than Philadelphia?

Yes, Minneapolis is 11% cheaper than Philadelphia based on our cost of living index. Minneapolis has a COLI of 61.4, while Philadelphia has a COLI of 68.8. 11% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Minneapolis vs Philadelphia

Overall, Minneapolis is approximately 11% cheaper than Philadelphia based on our cost of living index. Minneapolis has a COLI of 61.4 (ranked #43 of 182 cities), while Philadelphia has a COLI of 68.8 (ranked #25).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Minneapolis averages $1,550/month compared to $1,550/month in Philadelphia. That makes Philadelphia approximately 0% cheaper for rent alone.

Philadelphia has lower total deductions (23.1%) compared to Minneapolis (27.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Philadelphia. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Minneapolis

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MN)
7.85%
Total: 27.0%Take-Home: $33,618/yr

Philadelphia

Income Tax
12%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (PA)
3.07%
Total: 23.1%Take-Home: $39,663/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn $75,000 in Minneapolis, you would need approximately $84,039 in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 11% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Minneapolis (USD) Philadelphia (USD)
Doctor (General) $110,520 $123,840
Software Engineer $52,190 $58,480
Product Manager $61,400 $68,800
Lawyer $61,400 $68,800
Data Scientist $58,330 $65,360
Marketing Manager $44,208 $49,536
Teacher $29,472 $33,024
Nurse $35,612 $39,904

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Minneapolis (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Kenwood1.30x (+30%)
Edina1.28x (+28%)
North Loop1.25x (+25%)
Linden Hills1.22x (+22%)
Lowry Hill1.20x (+20%)

Philadelphia (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Rittenhouse Square1.35x (+35%)
Society Hill1.28x (+28%)
Center City1.25x (+25%)
Fitler Square1.22x (+22%)
Bryn Mawr (Main Line)1.22x (+22%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Minneapolis or Philadelphia more expensive?

Philadelphia is more expensive overall. Minneapolis has a COLI of 61.4 while Philadelphia has a COLI of 68.8, making Minneapolis approximately 11% cheaper.

What salary in Philadelphia equals $75,000 in Minneapolis?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Minneapolis, you would need approximately $84,039 in Philadelphia.

Is rent cheaper in Minneapolis or Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Minneapolis is $1,550/month compared to $1,550/month in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has lower rent by approximately 0%.

Which city has lower taxes, Minneapolis or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has lower total deductions (23.1%) compared to Minneapolis (27.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Philadelphia.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.