Austin TX vs Minneapolis MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 426,845 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 7.5% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 10.5% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $80,269 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $50,605 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 54.4% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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