Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Computer Network Architects Salary in Minnesota: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Computer Network Architects salary really buy you in Minnesota?

Minnesota is 2.3% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$133,270
Median annual (2025)
+2.4%
Real Purchasing Power
$136,407
COL-adjusted (RPP=97.7)

Minnesota Cost of Living Index

Minnesota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 97.7, meaning prices are 2.3% lower the national average. A Computer Network Architects earning $133,270 in Minnesota has the equivalent purchasing power of $136,407 in an average-cost US state.

MN: 97.7
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Minnesota's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $81,500 $83,418 +$1,918
25th Percentile (P25) $104,140 $106,591 +$2,451
Median (P50) $133,270 $136,407 +$3,137
75th Percentile (P75) $157,130 $160,829 +$3,699
90th Percentile (P90) $171,700 $175,742 +$4,042
Key Insight

Minnesota's cost of living is close to the national average, so $133,270 keeps most of its value at $136,407 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Minnesota Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 97.7

With an RPP of 97.7, Minnesota is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Computer Network Architects is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Minor COL Adjustment for This Salary

+2.4%

After adjusting for Minnesota's cost of living, $133,270 nominal nets out to $136,407 in real purchasing power — a small 2.4% gain. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Computer Network Architects.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#18 / 51

Minnesota sits at #18 of 51 states for Computer Network Architects COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Computer Network Architects (After Cost of Living)

Where does Computer Network Architects salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$174,306
RPP 88.0
$153,069
RPP 109.8
$151,866
RPP 105.0
$151,418
RPP 98.0
$149,218
RPP 108.8
6. Alabama
$148,986
RPP 87.8
$144,220
RPP 93.6
8. Ohio
$143,245
RPP 91.5
9. Nevada
$143,215
RPP 96.4
10. Wisconsin
$142,708
RPP 92.3

Minnesota ranks #18 out of 51 states for Computer Network Architects after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Computer Network Architects take-home pay in Minnesota after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Computer Network Architects in Minnesota after cost of living?

A Computer Network Architects in Minnesota earns a median salary of $133,270 per year. After adjusting for Minnesota's cost of living (RPP=97.7), the real purchasing power is $136,407 — a +2.4% difference.

Is Minnesota expensive to live in?

Minnesota's cost of living is 2.3% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Minnesota is 97.7 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Computer Network Architects in Minnesota: $133,270 x (100 / 97.7) = $136,407. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Computer Network Architects in Minnesota financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Computer Network Architects in Minnesota enjoys 2.4% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy