Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Minneapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Minneapolis or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis or Vancouver, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Minneapolis or Vancouver?
Minneapolis
Known as one of the Twin Cities with its neighbor, Saint Paul, the Minneapolis area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Originally a city of lumber and flour milling, the city has grown to prosper in commerce, rail and trucking, health care, industry, education, publishing, milling, and food processing amongst others. In addition to housing the headquarters for five Fortune 500 Companies, Minneapolis is a city of thriving culture. From visual arts, music, and theater to sporting events and award-winning restaurants, the entertainment is never lacking.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMinneapolis $206Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Minneapolis is $206, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $141. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Minneapolis and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMinneapolis $110Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMinneapolis $220Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Minneapolis and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Minneapolis or Vancouver? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Minneapolis Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Minneapolis $43Vancouver $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis
Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $138
- Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
- Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
- Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yvr Airport to Whistler and Whistler to Yvr Airport transfers: $111
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Nanaimo: $206
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $283
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
- Vancouver hotels to Canada Place Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Vancouver Cruise ship Transfer to Airport/City Hotel: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Minneapolis or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Minneapolis change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMinneapolis $40Vancouver $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Minneapolis Food Tour - Walking: $115
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
- Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Minneapolis $27Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Historic Heartbeats of Minneapolis Senior Tour with Guide: $194
- Candlelight Ghost Trolley Tour in Minneapolis: $55
- Challah Baking Experience: $72
- Christmas in the City: A Minneapolis Walking Tour: $689
- Complete Minneapolis Walking Tour: $99
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Minneapolis with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Ghost Walking Tour in Minneapolis: $29
- In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Minneapolis: $7.99
- Lost Souls Tour: $20
- Mall of America: 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $44
- Mall of America: Crayola Experience Flexible Date Ticket: $31
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,411
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,411
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $709
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $836
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMinneapolis $24Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Minneapolis
Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- History and 4-Bar Crawl Guided Walking Tour: $69
- All-Inclusive Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour: $85
- 3-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $100
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
- Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minneapolis and Vancouver, we can see that Minneapolis is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis than you might in Vancouver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Minneapolis Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Minneapolis. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis and Vancouver, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Minneapolis or Vancouver?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Minneapolis or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minneapolis and Vancouver. Many travelers come to Minneapolis for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Minneapolis is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 76°F (25°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vancouver this time of the year. In Minneapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minneapolis usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during summer. Minneapolis gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Minneapolis usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Minneapolis gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMinneapolis 76°F (25°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Minneapolis or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Minneapolis as well as Vancouver. Many visitors come to Minneapolis in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Minneapolis is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Minneapolis averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Minneapolis often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Minneapolis gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Minneapolis usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Minneapolis gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMinneapolis 52°F (11°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Minneapolis or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Minneapolis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Minneapolis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. Minneapolis can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Minneapolis is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Minneapolis in January average around 15°F (-10°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Minneapolis usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Minneapolis gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In January, Minneapolis usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Minneapolis gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMinneapolis 15°F (-10°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Minneapolis or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Minneapolis during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the activities around the city.
In April, Minneapolis is generally around the same temperature as Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Minneapolis average around 49°F (10°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
It's quite sunny in Minneapolis. In the spring, Minneapolis often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Minneapolis gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Minneapolis usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Minneapolis gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMinneapolis 49°F (10°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Minneapolis
| Minneapolis | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 34°F (1°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 49°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 76°F (25°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 52°F (11°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.