Los Angeles vs Minneapolis

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Los Angeles feels like approximately $47,496 in Minneapolis.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Los Angeles feels like $47,496 in Minneapolis. Moving would decrease your purchasing power by 32%.

Income
Housing

Los Angeles

Minneapolis

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
high
 
low
1BR Rent
$2,085/mo
 
$1,405/mo
State Tax
CA tax applies
 
MN tax applies
Take-Home /mo
$4,260
 
$4,228
Remote Work Fit
LA is a well-established remote work city for those in entertainment-adjacent or tech roles. The weather and cultural access remain draws even as the housing math requires careful budgeting.
 
Minneapolis is an underrated remote work city — above-average wages, accessible housing, strong transit, and outdoor culture that rivals warmer metros in three seasons.
Walk Score
69
 
71
Getting By
$60-80k · Los Angeles vs Minneapolis
Income Reality Check

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Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,260/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Los Angeles, your picture shifts from getting-by toward getting-by.

No city is objectively better. Los Angeles and Minneapolis each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.

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Los Angeles profile Minneapolis profile Run Reality Check →
FAQ

Los Angeles vs Minneapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Minneapolis?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $2,085/mo in Los Angeles and $1,405/mo in Minneapolis. Minneapolis has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

How much do I need to earn in Minneapolis to match Los Angeles?

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Los Angeles feels like approximately $47,496 in Minneapolis — a reduction of about 32% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Los Angeles and Minneapolis?

Los Angeles is in CA (CA levies income tax) and Minneapolis is in MN (MN levies income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Which city has more breathing room?

Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.