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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A New York VS COUNTRY B Minnesota

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for New York and Minnesota in 2026.

OVERVIEW
New York and Minnesota are two of the highest-income-tax states in the US. New York's 9-bracket system tops at 10.9%, while Minnesota's 4-bracket system peaks at 9.85% — the 3rd-highest top rate nationally. At $100,000 income, New York collects $6,860 vs Minnesota's $5,692 — a $1,168 annual difference in New York's favour. At higher incomes the gap widens: at $200,000, NY costs $4,714 more. NYC residents face an additional 3.078–3.876% local tax, making the Minnesota advantage even more pronounced for city dwellers. This comparison is particularly relevant for high-earning professionals considering Minneapolis vs NYC.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.

🗽
COUNTRY A
New York
TAX RATE
4-10.9%
Progressive
9 tax brackets from 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC local tax
🌲
COUNTRY B
Minnesota
TAX RATE
5.35-9.85%
Progressive
4 brackets, 9.85% top rate — 3rd-highest in the US
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from MinnesotaNew York at $100,000
$1,168
That's $97/month back in your pocket
Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.
GROSS INCOME
🗽 NY TAX
🌲 MN TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$2,718
$2,392
$326
$3,260
$100,000
$6,860
$5,692
$1,168
$11,680
$150,000
$12,014
$9,350
$2,664
$26,640
$200,000
$17,614
$12,900
$4,714
$47,140
💡

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🗽

New York Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Global financial hub: Wall Street salaries dwarf Minneapolis for finance/banking roles
  • Broader income tax exemptions: NY exempts more pension and retirement income categories
  • Top-tier universities: Columbia, NYU, Cornell — recruiting pipelines unmatched
  • Global city premium: Media, fashion, tech roles pay 30-50% more than Minneapolis equivalents
  • No sales tax on groceries or clothing under $110
− CONS
  • Top rate 10.9%: Higher than Minnesota's 9.85% at the top bracket
  • NYC local tax: An additional 3.078–3.876% city tax for NYC residents
  • Extremely high cost of living: NYC housing costs 3–4× Minneapolis
  • Estate tax: New York imposes estate tax from 3.06–16% on estates over $7.16M
  • Combined NY+NYC burden at $200k: ~$22,300+ — among the highest in the US
🌲

Minnesota Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower tax at most income levels: MN saves $1,168 on $100k vs NY state alone
  • No city income tax in Minneapolis or St. Paul (unlike NYC's 3.876%)
  • Affordable housing: Minneapolis median ~$330k vs NYC $800k+ (59% cheaper)
  • Strong job market: Target, Best Buy, UnitedHealth, 3M all headquartered in MN
  • High quality of life: Minneapolis ranked top 10 for livability, walkability, arts
− CONS
  • 9.85% top rate: 3rd-highest state income tax rate nationally — still very high
  • High corporate taxes: MN taxes businesses heavily, suppressing some job creation
  • Winter climate: Minneapolis averages -10°F windchills, 54 inches of snow annually
  • Limited transit: Light rail exists but car dependency high vs NYC's MTA
  • Social safety net costs: MN's generous public programs funded by high income taxes
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays less in income tax — New York residents or Minnesota residents?

For most income levels, Minnesota residents pay less state income tax than New York residents. At $100,000: NY costs $6,860 vs MN $5,692 — New York is $1,168 more expensive. At $50,000, the gap narrows to $326. However, if you live in NYC, add 3.078–3.876% city tax, making the NYC total ~$9,900–$10,260 vs Minnesota's $5,692. Minneapolis residents have no city income tax, making Minnesota dramatically cheaper than New York City for residents specifically.

What are Minnesota's 4 income tax brackets for 2026?

Minnesota's 2026 income tax brackets for single filers are: 5.35% on the first $30,070; 6.80% on $30,070–$98,760; 7.85% on $98,760–$183,340; and 9.85% on income over $183,340. For married filing jointly, the thresholds are roughly doubled. The 9.85% top rate is the 3rd-highest state income tax rate in the country, behind only California (13.3%) and Hawaii (11%), and approximately equal to New Jersey (10.75%) though New York reaches 10.9% at the very top.

Does Minneapolis have a city income tax like New York City does?

No. Minneapolis and St. Paul do not levy a local city income tax. This is a major advantage over New York City, where residents pay an additional 3.078–3.876% on top of state tax. A Minneapolis resident earning $100,000 pays $5,692 total in state income tax. A NYC resident earning $100,000 pays $6,860 state + $3,078–$3,400 city = roughly $9,938–$10,260 combined. The absence of a Minneapolis city income tax is the largest practical difference between the two states for urban residents.

Is New York or Minnesota better for high-income earners above $500k?

For very high incomes, both states are expensive but New York is slightly worse. New York's top marginal rate of 10.9% kicks in at $25M+ (single), while Minnesota's 9.85% top rate starts at $183,340 (single) — meaning Minnesota hits its top rate much earlier. However, NYC residents also pay 3.876% city tax at the top, making the combined NY+NYC marginal rate 14.776% — significantly above Minnesota's 9.85%. High earners comparing only state-level taxes see a more modest difference; NYC residents see a dramatic one.

How do Minnesota and New York compare for retirees?

Minnesota is less retiree-friendly than New York. Minnesota taxes Social Security benefits for higher-income retirees (though provides a subtraction for lower incomes). New York fully exempts Social Security and exempts up to $20,000 of pension/retirement income for those 59½+. Minnesota exempts some pension income but less generously. For retirees on fixed income, New York's retirement income exemptions often make it more attractive despite higher marginal rates on earned income.