Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.0 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 59.2% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 21.6% | 18.3% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 10.5% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $334,719 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.2 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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