Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 426,845 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 28.4% | 18.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 10.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $334,719 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.1% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.8% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.7% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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