Minneapolis real estate vs inflation: did it beat the dollar?
131% × 46%
Updated June 1, 2026 · Redfin · BLS / FRED (CPIAUCNS)
Since 2013, Minneapolis real estate is up 131% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. Minneapolis real estate far outpaced inflation — but the ride was brutal: its worst drop was 21%. Figures in U.S. dollars.
Base 100 since 2013
Why compare Minneapolis home prices (US$/m²) and U.S. inflation (CPI-U)
Minneapolis anchors the Twin Cities and generally sits in the mid tier, supported by a diversified economy of corporate headquarters, healthcare, finance and manufacturing. Its per-square-meter value tends to run above much of the surrounding Midwest but below the expensive coasts. The metro saw prices fall during the 2008 housing crash and then recover steadily through the 2010s, with the relatively stable, broad-based demand that characterizes a region not driven by a single boom industry.
Returns by window
| Window | Minneapolis home prices (US$/m²) | U.S. inflation (CPI-U) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | -2% | 4% |
| 5 years | 6% | 24% |
| 10 years | 47% | 39% |
| since 2013 | 131% | 46% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis real estate | 15% | -21% |
| Inflation (CPI) | 1% | -2% |
$10,000 in each, since 2013
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis real estate | $23,096 |
| Inflation (CPI) | $14,553 |
Frequently asked questions
Did Minneapolis real estate beat inflation?
Over the period, Minneapolis real estate returned 131% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. The gap is what the asset earned beyond simply keeping pace with the dollar.
Does this account for the dollar losing value?
Yes. The inflation line is U.S. CPI, the measure of how much purchasing power the dollar lost over the same period. Returns above that line are gains in real terms.
Does a higher return mean a better investment?
Not on its own. A higher return came with higher risk here — the volatility and the largest drop on this page show how much the value swung along the way.
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.