CostIndexUSA

Minneapolis, MN vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MN
Minneapolis
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Minneapolis — 20.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Minneapolis, you would need $63,800 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing61.7%
Minneapolis
111.8
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries9.1%
Minneapolis
103.1
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation8.3%
Minneapolis
109.6
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare8.4%
Minneapolis
99.2
Monroe
90.9
Utilities22.8%
Minneapolis
93.5
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$63,800
$16,200 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 104.8) = salary × 0.7977. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Minneapolis, MN

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

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Minneapolis has 61.7% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Minneapolis, MN

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Minneapolis, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.