Minneapolis, MN · San Diego, CA

Cost of Living: Minneapolis vs San Diego

Living in Minneapolis, MN costs 6.3% less than in San Diego, CA: a $100,000 salary in Minneapolis, MN buys what $106,740 buys in San Diego, CA, based on BEA regional price parities for 2024.

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Minneapolis vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing

Minneapolis, MNSan Diego, CA
BEA price parity (U.S. = 100)104.8111.9
Average salary, all jobs$74,580$79,060
Median salary, all jobs$59,320$58,690
Average salary adjusted for prices$71,149$70,661
Take-home on the average salary*$57,749$61,188
Typical home value$393,774$946,365
Median household income$98,180$102,285
Home price / household income4.09.3
Metro population3,693,3513,282,782

*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.

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Equivalent salary: Minneapolis to San Diego

To keep the same standard of living when moving from Minneapolis to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.067.

Salary in MinneapolisSame buying power in San Diego
$50,000 in Minneapolis$53,370 in San Diego
$75,000 in Minneapolis$80,055 in San Diego
$100,000 in Minneapolis$106,740 in San Diego
$150,000 in Minneapolis$160,110 in San Diego
$200,000 in Minneapolis$213,480 in San Diego

Salaries for common jobs in Minneapolis and San Diego

JobMinneapolisSan DiegoAdjusted for prices
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$40,250$36,830$38,398 / $32,917
Fast Food and Counter Workers$33,150$40,870$31,625 / $36,528
Retail Salespersons$39,070$41,850$37,273 / $37,404
Cashiers$35,890$39,820$34,239 / $35,589
Registered Nurses$106,480$145,060$101,582 / $129,649
Office Clerks, General$50,800$51,310$48,463 / $45,859
General and Operations Managers$125,460$144,610$119,689 / $129,246
Waiters and Waitresses$31,300$47,700$29,860 / $42,632
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$48,080$44,270$45,868 / $39,567
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$42,170$41,970$40,230 / $37,511
Stockers and Order Fillers$40,390$42,790$38,532 / $38,244
Software Developers$130,410$163,300$124,411 / $145,951
Security Guards$46,380$43,110$44,246 / $38,530
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$89,940$100,980$85,803 / $90,252
Cooks, Restaurant$41,850$45,770$39,925 / $40,907
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary

Adjusted = average salary divided by the BEA price parity: what it buys in a typical U.S. metro.

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Minneapolis vs San Diego: questions

Is Minneapolis more expensive than San Diego?

No. BEA prices are 104.8 in Minneapolis, MN and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).

What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Minneapolis?

About $106,740, before taxes.

Where do salaries go further, Minneapolis or San Diego?

Minneapolis, MN: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.

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