If you’re looking for the best side hustles in Minneapolis, you’re in the right city. This isn’t just a place with cold winters and great lakes. It’s a city with strong industries, active neighborhoods, thriving small businesses, and real earning potential for people willing to move.
Minneapolis has a unique rhythm. Winter demands grit. Summer explodes with activity. Downtown buzzes. Neighborhoods feel tight-knit. That mix creates opportunity — steady, seasonal, digital, and hands-on. Whether you want an extra $500 a month or something that could grow into a full-time business, there’s space for it here.
Let’s break down the smartest ways to earn.
Why Minneapolis Is Built for Side Hustles
Before we jump into specific ideas, it helps to understand why this market works.
Minneapolis anchors the Twin Cities economy alongside St. Paul. Major corporations like Target and U.S. Bancorp create a strong professional base. Healthcare systems, universities, logistics, tech startups — the ecosystem is diverse. That means customers with income. And income fuels demand.
Then there’s the weather.
Winter creates snow removal, delivery spikes, and home service demand. Summer brings festivals, tourism, lake culture, outdoor events, and weddings. You can actually stack seasonal hustles here and stay busy all year.
That’s why the best side hustles in Minneapolis aren’t random. They align with the city’s patterns.
Quick Comparison: What Makes Sense for You?
Here’s a practical overview to help you compare options.
| Side Hustle | Startup Cost | Income Potential | Flexibility | Seasonality |
| Rideshare Driving | Low | $$ | High | Year-round |
| Snow Removal | Low–Medium | $$$ | Medium | Winter |
| Freelancing | Low | $$$ | High | Year-round |
| Event Staffing | Low | $$ | Medium | Seasonal |
| Pet Sitting | Low | $$ | High | Year-round |
| Renting Parking | Low | $$–$$$ | Passive | Event-driven |
Now let’s go deeper.
High-Demand Service-Based Side Hustles
1. Rideshare & Food Delivery
Minneapolis has consistent rideshare demand. Airport runs to MSP. Downtown nightlife. Sporting events. Concerts. Weather disruptions.
Driving for Uber or Lyft can generate steady part-time income if you work smart hours — think Friday nights, event days, early morning airport runs. Pair it with DoorDash during winter storms when people don’t want to leave home.
Actionable tip:
Track event calendars and surge windows. Work when demand spikes — not randomly. That alone can double hourly earnings.
2. Snow Removal (Winter Goldmine)
This is one of the best side hustles in Minneapolis if you don’t mind cold mornings.
Homeowners, landlords, and small businesses need driveways and sidewalks cleared fast. Especially after heavy overnight snowfall.
Startup costs? A quality snow blower and basic marketing. That’s it.
How to scale quickly:
- Pre-sell seasonal contracts before winter hits
- Focus on one neighborhood cluster
- Offer early-bird priority service
- Upsell salting and ice management
You can earn $30–$80 per driveway depending on size. Stack 15–20 homes per route and it adds up fast.
3. Lawn Care & Landscaping (Summer Flip)
When snow melts, grass grows.
Switch your winter clients into lawn mowing contracts. Minneapolis summers are short but intense. People want clean yards for grilling and lake weekends.
Keep it simple:
- Weekly mowing
- Spring cleanup
- Fall leaf removal
Offer recurring billing. Predictable income wins.
4. Handyman Services
The rental market here is strong. Property managers constantly need small repairs: drywall patching, faucet replacement, minor electrical, door fixes.
If you’re skilled, this can turn into one of the best side hustles in Minneapolis long term.
Start small:
- Join local Facebook neighborhood groups
- Network with real estate agents
- Connect with small landlords
Charge fairly. Show up on time. Communicate clearly. That alone separates you from 80% of the competition.
Digital & Remote Side Hustles
Not everyone wants to shovel snow. That’s fair.
Minneapolis has a strong professional class, which means businesses that need digital support.
5. Freelancing (Writing, Marketing, Design, Coding)
Local companies often outsource digital tasks. Websites need content. Brands need graphics. Startups need marketing help.
Platforms help you get started, but your best clients might be local.
Strategy:
- Pick one niche (real estate marketing, healthcare content, local restaurant branding)
- Build 3–5 strong samples
- Reach out directly to small businesses
Freelancing remains one of the best side hustles in Minneapolis because overhead is low and scalability is high.
6. Virtual Assistant Services
Busy executives. Real estate professionals. Small business owners. They need scheduling, inbox management, CRM updates.
You can work evenings. Fully remote.
Start with:
- Calendar management
- Email filtering
- Social media scheduling
Charge hourly at first. Then move to monthly retainers.
7. Selling Digital Products
If you want leverage, this is powerful.
Create:
- Budget spreadsheets
- Local real estate checklists
- Fitness planners
- Small business templates
Sell on platforms like Etsy or your own site. This model takes effort upfront but creates ongoing income.
It’s not instant money. It’s scalable money.
Creative & Community-Based Hustles
Minneapolis values creativity. Lean into that.
8. Farmers Market Vendor
Markets across the city attract consistent traffic during warmer months. Handmade crafts, baked goods, specialty foods — all perform well.
Before selling food, review cottage food guidelines through Minnesota Department of Agriculture to stay compliant.
Start small. Test products. Collect emails from buyers for repeat sales.
9. Photography & Event Services
Summer weddings. Corporate events. Graduation shoots.
If you have a camera and an eye for lighting, there’s opportunity.
Build a simple portfolio. Offer discounted shoots to build reviews. Then raise rates.
One solid wedding booking can cover several months of side income.
10. Airbnb or Spare Room Rental
Short-term rental demand spikes around festivals, concerts, and sporting events.
Before listing, review city regulations through City of Minneapolis to ensure compliance.
If you have extra space near downtown or near lakes, this can be steady supplemental income.
Outdoor & Seasonal Opportunities
Minneapolis embraces the outdoors.
11. Outdoor Instruction or Guiding
Kayak lessons. Ice fishing assistance. Bike tours. Paddleboard rentals.
If you’re skilled and certified where necessary, this niche can stand out because it’s hyper-local.
Short season. High margin.
12. Bike or Equipment Rentals
During summer, lake traffic surges. Simple rental operations can perform well near trails or parks.
Focus on:
- Maintenance
- Clear pricing
- Online booking
Passive Income Opportunities
Sometimes the best side hustles in Minneapolis are low effort.
13. Renting Parking Spaces
Downtown parking is expensive. If you live near event centers or busy districts, renting your driveway or parking spot during games and concerts can be easy money.
List on neighborhood groups or parking platforms.
14. Furniture Flipping
Thrift stores and online marketplaces are full of undervalued pieces.
Refinish. Photograph well. Relist.
Mid-century and Scandinavian-inspired pieces perform well locally. Focus on quality staging. That’s where profits grow.
How to Choose the Right Hustle
Not every opportunity fits every person. Be honest with yourself.
Ask:
- How many hours per week can I commit?
- Do I prefer physical or digital work?
- Do I want quick cash or long-term scalability?
- Am I comfortable with seasonal income swings?
Many locals combine two models. Snow removal in winter. Lawn care in summer. Freelancing year-round.
Stack intelligently.
Legal & Tax Considerations
Side income is still income.
Track:
- Mileage
- Equipment purchases
- Marketing expenses
- Software subscriptions
Set aside a percentage for taxes. Consider opening a separate bank account to avoid confusion.
If you scale beyond casual earnings, registering a business entity may make sense. It’s not complicated — but it’s worth researching.
Stay organized. Future you will be grateful.
Final Thoughts
The truth? The best side hustles in Minneapolis aren’t about chasing trends. They’re about reading the city.
Snow creates opportunity. So does summer. So does digital demand and so does a strong professional workforce with disposable income.
Start small. Test fast. Improve quickly.
You don’t need a perfect plan. You need motion.
Pick one idea. Launch this month. Adjust as you learn.
That’s how side hustles grow into something bigger.
FAQs
Some of the best side hustles in Minneapolis include snow removal, rideshare driving, freelancing, lawn care, and short-term rentals.
Earnings vary, but many part-time hustles can generate $500–$2,000 per month depending on hours and demand.
Yes, if you plan properly—pair winter services like snow removal with summer lawn care for year-round income.
Some services require permits or registration, so check local requirements through the City of Minneapolis before starting.
Freelancing, virtual assistant work, and digital products typically require minimal startup costs beyond a computer and internet.
It can be, especially during peak hours, major events, and winter weather when demand increases.
Absolutely—many of the best side hustles in Minneapolis offer flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends.
Snow removal, delivery services, and remote freelancing tend to perform strongest during colder months.
Start with neighborhood Facebook groups, referrals, online platforms, and direct outreach to small businesses.
Yes, side income is taxable, so track expenses carefully and set aside a portion for self-employment taxes.
