Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Boston
47.8%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 426,845 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 14.1% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 21.5% | 18.3% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.2% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 10.5% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $80,269 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $50,605 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,467 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1992 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.6% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 9.9% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, 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 326 in Boston. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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