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Chicago vs Minneapolis: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 104.8 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $74,580 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $59,320 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $71,149 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $57,749 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $393,774 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $98,180 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 3,693,351 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Chicago to Minneapolis
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Minneapolis, multiply your salary by 1.012.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Minneapolis |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $50,592 in Minneapolis |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $75,888 in Minneapolis |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $101,184 in Minneapolis |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $151,777 in Minneapolis |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $202,369 in Minneapolis |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Minneapolis
| Job | Chicago | Minneapolis | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $40,250 | $37,154 / $38,398 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $39,070 | $38,004 / $37,273 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $125,460 | $138,752 / $119,689 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $106,480 | $94,532 / $101,582 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $52,960 | $48,072 / $50,524 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $33,150 | $33,486 / $31,625 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $48,080 | $41,643 / $45,868 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $50,800 | $47,898 / $48,463 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $35,890 | $34,519 / $34,239 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,020 | $48,680 | $44,423 / $46,441 |
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $130,410 | $136,725 / $124,411 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $42,170 | $39,963 / $40,230 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $40,390 | $39,288 / $38,532 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $31,300 | $34,413 / $29,860 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $39,820 | $43,370 | $38,438 / $41,375 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs Minneapolis: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Minneapolis?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 104.8 in Minneapolis, MN (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Minneapolis to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $101,184, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Minneapolis?
Minneapolis, MN: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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