Minneapolis MN vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.1 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 61.6% | 36.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $60,698 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $37,669 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $65,080 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 22.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 34.6% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 319 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 57.1°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 48.5 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 34.5 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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