Minneapolis MN vs Modesto CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 218,614 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.4 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 61.6% | 50.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 4.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $77,899 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $34,656 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 20.3% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $447,353 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 36.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.0% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 63.7°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 30.5 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, 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 503 in Modesto. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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