Minneapolis MN vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 198,440 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.2 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.5% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 27.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $55,687 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $32,068 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $51,690 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 20.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 33.5% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 400 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 46.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.6% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.3% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 64.5°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 52.8 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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