Cost of Living: Minneapolis, MN vs Athens, GA (2026)

Minneapolis

Minnesota
102
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Minneapolis is 23% more expensive than Athens.

$1,329/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 13%
$80,269/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 36%
$345,600 ↑ 27%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 21%
$1,513/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 23%
426,845
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

19.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Minneapolis, MN and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 102 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $167/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $2,004/year.

Median household income is $28,614/year higher in Minneapolis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Minneapolis is $345,600 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Athens slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Minneapolis vs Athens — common questions

Is Minneapolis or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 102 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Minneapolis and Athens?
Median rent in Minneapolis is $1,329/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $167/month.
Which city has higher income, Minneapolis or Athens?
Median household income is $80,269 in Minneapolis and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $28,614/year higher in Minneapolis.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Georgia?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Minneapolis or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Minneapolis has a cost index of 102 with median rent of $1,329/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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