Oakland vs Minneapolis: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Oakland, CA and Minneapolis, MN, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 437,825 | 426,877 |
| Median household income | $94,389 | $76,332 |
| Median home value | $883,800 | $328,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,849 | $1,267 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Oakland, CA and Minneapolis, MN comes down to what you value most. Minneapolis has the lower median home value, and Minneapolis has the lower median rent.
Oakland has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Oakland or Minneapolis?
- By median home value, Minneapolis is the cheaper of the two ($328,700 vs $883,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Oakland or Minneapolis?
- Median household income is $94,389 in Oakland versus $76,332 in Minneapolis, per the US Census Bureau.