Washington - DC vs Minneapolis - MN: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Washington - DC is roughly 47% more expensive than Minneapolis - MN in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Minneapolis - MN (26 days vs 19), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Washington vs Minneapolis: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $3,156 a month in principal and interest in Washington and $2,148 in Minneapolis, a gap of $1,008 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,407 in Washington and $1,736 in Minneapolis, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.3 times rent in Washington and 1.2 times rent in Minneapolis, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 19.7 years of rent in Washington and 18.6 in Minneapolis; the lower ratio in Minneapolis means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved +0.7% in Washington and +3.5% in Minneapolis; over just the last three months the change was +0.3% in Washington and +0.4% in Minneapolis.

Homes sell for 99.7% of list price in Washington and 100.3% in Minneapolis, after 19 and 26 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 30% of listings. The signs are mixed: Washington has sales further below list, while Minneapolis has more price cuts and longer time on the market.

The number of homes for sale is up 12% on a year ago in Washington and up 19% on a year ago in Minneapolis.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.