CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Minneapolis, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
MN
Minneapolis
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Lancaster is moderately cheaper than Minneapolis — 6.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $85,300 in Minneapolis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+19.2%
Lancaster
93.8
Minneapolis
111.8
🛒 Groceries+2.4%
Lancaster
100.7
Minneapolis
103.1
🚗 Transportation+6.8%
Lancaster
102.6
Minneapolis
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.9%
Lancaster
92.8
Minneapolis
99.2
Utilities12.9%
Lancaster
107.3
Minneapolis
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lancaster to see what you'd need to earn in Minneapolis to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Minneapolis, MN
$85,300
$5,300 more needed in Minneapolis

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 1.0661. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Minneapolis, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Minneapolis has 19.2% higher housing costs compared to Lancaster.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Minneapolis, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
429,606
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareRetailManufacturingTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Minneapolis, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.