Moving to Minnesota
Cost of living in Minnesota and the Twin Cities
Housing is the biggest cost: the median Twin Cities home sold for $395,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, which works out to about $2,408 a month in principal and interest with 10% down at today's 7.18% average rate, before property taxes and insurance. Minnesota's median rent is $1,280 a month with utilities, compared with $1,413 nationally. State sales tax is 6.875% and income tax runs from 5.35% to 9.85%.
At a glance
Minnesota compared with the U.S.
| Cost | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $329,300 | $332,700 |
| Median rent, with utilities | $1,280/mo | $1,413/mo |
| Median property tax paid (owners) | $3,357/yr | — |
| State sales tax | 6.875% + local | varies by state |
| State income tax (2026) | 5.35% to 9.85% | varies by state |
Home value, rent and property tax: Census ACS 2020–2024. Taxes: Minnesota Department of Revenue.
By city
Housing costs across the Twin Cities
Median sale price over the 12 months through September 2026, the monthly principal and interest on that price with 10% down at 7.18%, median rent and the property tax rate, from the least to the most expensive.
| City | Median sale price | P&I per month | Median rent | Property tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Trier | $180,000 | $1,097 | — | 0.89% |
| Lexington | $289,800 | $1,767 | $1,573 | 1.16% |
| Faribault | $290,000 | $1,768 | $1,074 | 0.96% |
| Pine Springs | $290,000 | $1,768 | — | 0.77% |
| Saint Paul | $300,000 | $1,829 | $1,281 | 1.3% |
| South St. Paul | $300,000 | $1,829 | $1,199 | 1.19% |
| Columbia Heights | $302,000 | $1,841 | $1,295 | 1.08% |
| Brooklyn Center | $305,000 | $1,860 | $1,376 | 1.23% |
| Circle Pines | $306,500 | $1,869 | $1,496 | 1.18% |
| Lauderdale | $309,950 | $1,890 | $1,351 | 1.18% |
| Hamburg | $312,500 | $1,905 | $955 | 1.27% |
| St. Paul Park | $314,900 | $1,920 | $2,174 | 1.18% |
| Spring Lake Park | $324,950 | $1,981 | $1,413 | 1.01% |
| Norwood Young America | $325,000 | $1,981 | $1,073 | 1.12% |
| Crystal | $325,550 | $1,985 | $1,467 | 1.23% |
| Oakdale | $329,900 | $2,011 | $1,481 | 0.99% |
| Robbinsdale | $330,000 | $2,012 | $1,758 | 1.17% |
| Coon Rapids | $335,000 | $2,042 | $1,494 | 0.91% |
| Fridley | $335,000 | $2,042 | $1,326 | 1.1% |
| North St. Paul | $335,000 | $2,042 | $1,352 | 1.23% |
| Bethel | $335,000 | $2,042 | $1,000 | 0.9% |
| Willernie | $335,306 | $2,044 | $1,322 | 0.91% |
| Osseo | $337,500 | $2,058 | $1,333 | 1.18% |
| West St. Paul | $343,250 | $2,093 | $1,282 | 1.04% |
| Maplewood | $345,000 | $2,103 | $1,406 | 1.22% |
| Hastings | $345,000 | $2,103 | $1,183 | 0.98% |
| Anoka | $345,000 | $2,103 | $1,269 | 0.89% |
| Brooklyn Park | $349,900 | $2,133 | $1,325 | 1.11% |
| St. Francis | $349,900 | $2,133 | $1,287 | 0.83% |
| Belle Plaine | $349,995 | $2,134 | $1,342 | 1.39% |
| Mounds View | $351,000 | $2,140 | $1,245 | 1.12% |
| Hopkins | $352,500 | $2,149 | $1,468 | 1.28% |
| Loretto | $352,500 | $2,149 | $630 | 1.27% |
| Minneapolis | $353,500 | $2,155 | $1,371 | 1.2% |
| Richfield | $355,000 | $2,164 | $1,393 | 1.14% |
| Lake St. Croix Beach | $357,450 | $2,179 | $1,563 | 0.78% |
| Little Canada | $359,891 | $2,194 | $1,417 | 1.03% |
| New Hope | $361,000 | $2,201 | $1,335 | 1.3% |
| Rockford | $364,500 | $2,222 | $1,046 | 1.12% |
| White Bear Lake | $365,000 | $2,225 | $1,601 | 1.08% |
| Northfield | $369,950 | $2,256 | $1,103 | 1.37% |
| Vadnais Heights | $371,000 | $2,262 | $1,455 | 1.11% |
| Bloomington | $375,000 | $2,286 | $1,561 | 1.07% |
| Roseville | $375,000 | $2,286 | $1,374 | 1.24% |
| Watertown | $375,000 | $2,286 | $927 | 1.02% |
| St. Bonifacius | $375,000 | $2,286 | $1,270 | 0.99% |
| Blaine | $380,000 | $2,317 | $1,705 | 0.94% |
| Apple Valley | $380,000 | $2,317 | $1,738 | 0.99% |
| St. Anthony | $380,000 | $2,317 | $1,397 | 1.53% |
| Hampton | $382,000 | $2,329 | $1,083 | 0.83% |
| Lakeland | $382,500 | $2,332 | $1,668 | 0.9% |
| Burnsville | $382,750 | $2,334 | $1,513 | 0.97% |
| Ramsey | $383,000 | $2,335 | $1,826 | 0.97% |
| Champlin | $385,000 | $2,347 | $1,689 | 1.04% |
| Mayer | $385,250 | $2,349 | $1,563 | 1.05% |
| New Prague | $390,000 | $2,378 | $1,389 | 1.02% |
| New Brighton | $390,250 | $2,379 | $1,397 | 1.16% |
| Newport | $391,500 | $2,387 | $1,122 | 1.05% |
| Farmington | $392,000 | $2,390 | $1,241 | 1.16% |
| St. Louis Park | $395,050 | $2,409 | $1,644 | 1.13% |
| Eagan | $395,900 | $2,414 | $1,679 | 0.96% |
| Lilydale | $397,250 | $2,422 | $2,362 | 0.87% |
| Inver Grove Heights | $398,950 | $2,432 | $1,465 | 0.95% |
| New Germany | $400,000 | $2,439 | $1,107 | 1.23% |
| Miesville | $400,000 | $2,439 | — | 0.77% |
| Falcon Heights | $401,250 | $2,446 | $1,202 | 1.22% |
| Shoreview | $404,500 | $2,466 | $1,661 | 1.23% |
| Cottage Grove | $405,000 | $2,469 | $1,783 | 1.05% |
| Cologne | $409,950 | $2,499 | $585 | 1.13% |
| Empire | $410,000 | $2,500 | $2,052 | 0.96% |
| East Bethel | $412,125 | $2,513 | $1,695 | 0.87% |
| Mound | $416,400 | $2,539 | $1,098 | 0.97% |
| Maple Plain | $420,000 | $2,561 | $1,140 | 1.19% |
| Savage | $421,000 | $2,567 | $1,766 | 1.03% |
| Randolph | $427,900 | $2,609 | $1,563 | 0.78% |
| Shakopee | $428,450 | $2,612 | $1,531 | 0.99% |
| Forest Lake | $429,900 | $2,621 | $1,421 | 0.95% |
| Oak Park Heights | $429,950 | $2,621 | $1,443 | 0.98% |
| Maple Grove | $430,000 | $2,622 | $1,868 | 1.08% |
| Hugo | $430,000 | $2,622 | $1,891 | 1% |
| Rosemount | $438,000 | $2,670 | $1,640 | 0.93% |
| Rogers | $440,000 | $2,683 | $1,789 | 1.06% |
| Centerville | $440,900 | $2,688 | $1,398 | 1.19% |
| Jordan | $442,000 | $2,695 | $1,192 | 1.03% |
| Andover | $448,400 | $2,734 | $2,037 | 0.89% |
| Arden Hills | $457,500 | $2,789 | $1,710 | 1.15% |
| Woodbury | $457,700 | $2,791 | $1,908 | 1.04% |
| Hanover | $459,950 | $2,804 | $1,853 | 1.06% |
| Stillwater | $460,000 | $2,805 | $1,622 | 0.97% |
| Lino Lakes | $461,590 | $2,814 | $1,874 | 1.04% |
| Elko New Market | $465,000 | $2,835 | $2,200 | 1.06% |
| Golden Valley | $469,000 | $2,859 | $1,785 | 1.24% |
| Chaska | $474,975 | $2,896 | $1,553 | 1.04% |
| Waconia | $475,000 | $2,896 | $1,330 | 1.02% |
| Mahtomedi | $475,000 | $2,896 | $1,694 | 1.02% |
| Columbus | $480,000 | $2,927 | $1,653 | 1.05% |
| Bayport | $485,000 | $2,957 | $2,028 | 0.79% |
| Oak Grove | $486,250 | $2,965 | $2,042 | 0.71% |
| Long Lake | $498,000 | $3,036 | $1,809 | 1.04% |
| Minnetonka | $499,700 | $3,047 | $1,779 | 1.11% |
| Eden Prairie | $500,000 | $3,048 | $1,833 | 1.09% |
| Prior Lake | $500,000 | $3,048 | $1,654 | 0.99% |
| Plymouth | $505,000 | $3,079 | $1,766 | 1.05% |
| Lakeville | $510,000 | $3,109 | $1,806 | 0.99% |
| Carver | $521,510 | $3,180 | $1,379 | 1.05% |
| Ham Lake | $549,950 | $3,353 | $1,173 | 0.81% |
| St. Marys Point | $550,000 | $3,353 | $1,125 | 0.65% |
| Mendota Heights | $570,000 | $3,475 | $1,631 | 0.86% |
| Nowthen | $575,000 | $3,506 | — | 0.8% |
| Birchwood Village | $575,000 | $3,506 | $1,681 | 0.99% |
| Dayton | $590,000 | $3,597 | $1,651 | 1.04% |
| Corcoran | $599,990 | $3,658 | — | 1.06% |
| Chanhassen | $600,000 | $3,658 | $1,831 | 0.95% |
| Gem Lake | $610,000 | $3,719 | $1,800 | 1.15% |
| Victoria | $618,300 | $3,770 | $2,235 | 0.99% |
| Lake Elmo | $665,000 | $4,054 | $2,407 | 0.81% |
| Marine on St. Croix | $670,000 | $4,085 | $2,250 | 0.97% |
| Scandia | $677,500 | $4,131 | — | 0.91% |
| Spring Park | $688,750 | $4,199 | $1,241 | 0.83% |
| Edina | $696,250 | $4,245 | $1,844 | 1.08% |
| Minnetrista | $719,990 | $4,390 | $3,501 | 0.92% |
| Excelsior | $725,000 | $4,420 | $1,143 | 1.1% |
| Afton | $770,500 | $4,698 | $2,333 | 0.9% |
| Dellwood | $800,000 | $4,878 | — | 0.85% |
| Grant | $822,500 | $5,015 | $2,195 | 0.79% |
| Greenfield | $840,000 | $5,121 | — | 1.16% |
| Independence | $900,000 | $5,487 | $3,469 | 0.97% |
| Shorewood | $930,500 | $5,673 | $1,607 | 1.05% |
| North Oaks | $950,000 | $5,792 | $3,501 | 0.97% |
| Credit River | $955,450 | $5,825 | — | 0.83% |
| Medina | $1,034,752 | $6,309 | $1,429 | 1.04% |
| Woodland | $1,075,000 | $6,554 | — | 0.84% |
| Tonka Bay | $1,085,000 | $6,615 | $2,320 | 1.09% |
| Wayzata | $1,137,000 | $6,932 | $1,782 | 0.87% |
| Deephaven | $1,207,500 | $7,362 | — | 1.07% |
| Orono | $1,225,000 | $7,469 | $1,818 | 0.87% |
| Lakeland Shores | $1,239,950 | $7,560 | $1,375 | 0.8% |
| Sunfish Lake | $1,285,000 | $7,835 | — | 0.9% |
| Medicine Lake | $1,480,000 | $9,023 | $1,150 | 0.92% |
| Minnetonka Beach | $2,700,000 | $16,462 | — | 0.5% |
| Greenwood | $3,000,000 | $18,291 | $1,885 | 0.81% |
Sale prices: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update. Rent (with utilities): Census ACS 2020–2024. Property tax rate: median taxes paid ÷ median home value, Census ACS 2020–2024. Payment: principal and interest only, 30-year loan, 10% down, Freddie Mac average rate of 7.18% (2026-11-05).
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Quick answers
Cost of living questions
Is Minnesota expensive to live in?
Housing in Minnesota costs close to the national middle: the median owner-occupied home value is $329,300 in Minnesota against $332,700 nationally, and median rent is $1,280 against $1,413 (Census ACS 2020–2024). Taxes are on the higher side: income tax from 5.35% to 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax, plus local sales taxes in some cities.
How much do you need to buy a home in the Twin Cities?
At the $395,000 metro median sale price (12 months through September 2026), 10% down is $39,500, and principal and interest at 7.18% is about $2,408 a month, plus property taxes, insurance and any HOA dues. Prices vary a lot by city; see the table on this page.
What does a home cost in Minneapolis and Saint Paul?
Over the 12 months through September 2026, the median sale price was $353,500 in Minneapolis and $300,000 in Saint Paul (Minneapolis Area REALTORS®). Median rent with utilities is $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,281 in Saint Paul (Census ACS 2020–2024).
What are Minnesota’s income tax rates in 2026?
For 2026, Minnesota taxes income at 5.35%, 6.80%, 7.85% and 9.85%. For a single filer, the brackets break at $33,310, $109,430 and $203,150; for married couples filing jointly, at $48,700, $193,480 and $337,930 (Minnesota Department of Revenue).
What is the sales tax in Minnesota?
The state general sales tax is 6.875%. Many cities and counties add a local sales tax on top; the Minnesota Department of Revenue publishes the combined rate for each place.
Sources
- Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (sale prices), September 2026
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 (home values, rent with utilities, property taxes paid)
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, 2026-11-05 (30-year average rate)
- Minnesota Department of Revenue, 2026 income tax rates and brackets
- Minnesota Department of Revenue, sales tax (6.875% state rate) and local rate guide
Moving to the Twin Cities?
Tell us where you'll work and what you want to spend, and we'll show you the cities and homes that fit, with real numbers. Call or text (612) 502-7653, or send us a note.