Minnesota vs Ohio Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$80,128
in Minnesota
$79,281
in Ohio
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Minnesota | Ohio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 80.6 | 87.6 | -8% |
| Groceries | 100.6 | 99.4 | +1% |
| Utilities | 95.0 | 98.3 | -3% |
| Transportation | 96.2 | 97.6 | -1% |
| Healthcare | 102.4 | 97.0 | +6% |
| Dining & Misc | 99.8 | 96.7 | +3% |
| Overall | 93.6 | 94.6 | -1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Minnesota.
What things actually cost
| Item | Minnesota | Ohio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $330,000 | $220,000 | +$110,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,128/mo | $1,226/mo | $98 |
| Gas price | $3.26/gal | $3.44/gal | $0.18 |
| Electric bill | $109/mo | $100/mo | +$9 |
| Infant childcare | $22,569/yr | $17,071/yr | +$5,498 |
Salary equivalent: Minnesota → Ohio
What a Minnesota salary buys you in Ohio, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Minnesota | Equivalent in Ohio | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,534 | $-534 |
| $75,000 | $75,801 | $-801 |
| $100,000 | $101,068 | $-1,068 |
| $150,000 | $151,603 | $-1,603 |
| $200,000 | $202,137 | $-2,137 |
Positive = your money goes further in Ohio. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Minnesota and Ohio have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 93.6 and 94.6 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Minnesota or Ohio?
Minnesota and Ohio have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Minnesota cheaper than Ohio?
Minnesota and Ohio cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Ohio more expensive than Minnesota?
Minnesota and Ohio have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Ohio equals $100,000 in Minnesota?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Minnesota, you would need approximately $101,068 in Ohio. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (93.6 vs 94.6).
How do housing costs compare between Minnesota and Ohio?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Ohio. Median home prices are $330,000 in Minnesota vs $220,000 in Ohio — a $110,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,128/mo vs $1,226/mo.
What costs more in Minnesota vs Ohio?
Housing is 8% lower in Minnesota (index 80.6 vs 87.6). Healthcare is 6% higher in Minnesota (index 102.4 vs 97). Utilities is 3% lower in Minnesota (index 95 vs 98.3).
Is gas cheaper in Minnesota or Ohio?
Gas averages $3.26/gallon in Minnesota and $3.44/gallon in Ohio — a $0.18 difference per gallon.
Minnesota vs Ohio cost of living — how do they compare?
Minnesota has an overall cost-of-living index of 93.6 and Ohio has 94.6 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Ohio?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Minnesota has a progressive income tax with 4 brackets, topping out at 9.85% on income over $193,240. Ohio moved to a flat 2.75% income tax in 2026 on income over $26,050, down from a progressive system. Many Ohio cities also levy local income taxes — Columbus charges 2.5%, Cleveland 2.0%, and Cincinnati 1.8%. These local taxes are not withheld automatically by out-of-city employers, so you may owe them separately. Use the Minnesota vs Ohio paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Minnesota and Ohio?
Minnesota requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Ohio requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Minnesota Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Ohio Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Minnesota vs Ohio Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Minnesota — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Ohio — How much house can you afford?
- Minnesota Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Ohio Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Minnesota Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Ohio Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Minnesota Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Ohio Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.