Cost of Living in Minnesota

Cities in different parts of the state have varying prices for rent, gas and other goods and services. Knowing what it costs to "live" in your area helps you set realistic goals for your budget and salary needs.

When choosing the career that fits you best, think about what it will cost to provide for future basic needs — like food, shelter, transportation and health care — throughout the different stages of your life. For example, when you first get into the job market, you might be living with family or roommates and won't need to make as much money as you will later in life when you have an apartment or house of your own.

So what does it cost to "live" in Minnesota? What do you need to earn to make a living wage?

Find out what it takes to have a basic standard of living with the JOBS NOW Coalition's Wage and Budget Calculator. This easy Web-based tool helps you calculate the costs of meeting fundamental needs for different parts of Minnesota.

Estimates are based upon monthly budget requirements needed to achieve a no-frills, basic standard of living. However, the space for "Clothing/Other" can be used to add in these monthly expenses, as well as for money set aside for vacation, skills training, debt payments or savings.

Besides showing the wage required to meet basic needs, the Calculator also provides information to help answer the question "What are my chances of finding this wage?"