Question 1

Is Minneapolis or Seattle cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Minneapolis, MN is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $744/month less than in Seattle, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,709/mo in Minneapolis versus $2,501/mo in Seattle.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Minneapolis vs Seattle?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $75,000/year before tax in Minneapolis, MN and $85,000/year in Seattle, WA — a difference of about $10,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Minneapolis or Seattle cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Minneapolis, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $7,554/month in Minneapolis and $8,905/month in Seattle, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Minneapolis or Seattle?

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	Minneapolis53	Seattle60
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,999	$4,743
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$7,554	$8,905
Salary for comfort	$75,000/yr	$85,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,709	$2,501
Median home value	$345,600	$912,100
Median household income	$80,269	$121,984
Unemployment	4.1%	4.5%
Housing score	62	35
Jobs score	29	36
Safety score	11	40
Climate score	74	92
Amenities score	64	90
Population	426.8K	741.4K
Summer high / winter low	86° / 8°	76° / 37°

Minneapolis, MN vs Seattle, WA