Question 1

Is Los Angeles or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Minneapolis, MN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,141/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Los Angeles versus $1,709/mo in Minneapolis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Los Angeles vs Minneapolis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $105,000/year before tax in Los Angeles, CA and $79,000/year in Minneapolis, MN — a difference of about $26,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Los Angeles or Minneapolis cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Minneapolis, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,135/month in Los Angeles and $10,983/month in Minneapolis, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Los Angeles or Minneapolis?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Minneapolis costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Los Angeles49	Minneapolis52
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,329	$4,188
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,135	$10,983
Salary for comfort	$105,000/yr	$79,000/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,709
Median home value	$879,500	$345,600
Median household income	$80,366	$80,269
Unemployment	5.3%	4.2%
Housing score	1	60
Jobs score	20	42
Safety score	47	11
Climate score	100	60
Amenities score	100	64
Population	3.9M	426.8K
Summer high / winter low	83° / 48°	83° / 8°

Los Angeles, CA vs Minneapolis, MN