The short answer for 2026, based on Minnesota's cost of living adjusted for Minneapolis housing, plus what people actually earn.
The typical Minneapolis household earns about $70,100, which is 1% below the $71,000 a comfortable lifestyle costs here. A median local income means many households run tighter than the comfort benchmark.
| Lifestyle | Salary needed |
|---|---|
| Modest (single, essentials covered) | $47,500 |
| Comfortable (average-state lifestyle) | $71,000 |
| Very comfortable (room to save) | $95,000 |
| Median rent in Minneapolis | $1,159/mo |
Figures scale each benchmark by an estimated Minneapolis cost index: Minnesota's BLISS score (1.00) adjusted for Minneapolis's median home price ($284,400) versus the statewide median ($333,000). Housing drives most city-to-city differences; other spending uses the state average. Estimates, not advice. Actual needs vary by neighborhood and household size.
A salary is not what you keep. See your actual paycheck after Minnesota and federal taxes.
Calculate my take-home pay ›About $71,000 a year. That matches the lifestyle $75,000 buys in an average U.S. state, using Minnesota's BLISS cost score adjusted for Minneapolis housing prices. A modest single-person budget is closer to $47,500, and $95,000 is very comfortable with room to save.
About $70,100 a year. That is 1% below the $71,000 a comfortable lifestyle costs here, so a typical local income means many households run tighter than the comfort benchmark.
Minneapolis's estimated cost of living is 5% below the U.S. average. The typical Minneapolis home runs $284,400, which is 15% below Minnesota's statewide median, and Minnesota overall ranks #29 of 50 for affordability (#1 = cheapest).