Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 426,845 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 22.9% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 10.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $334,719 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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