Minneapolis MN vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.8 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 61.6% | 53.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 7.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $77,041 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $40,309 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 32.3% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $411,323 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 450 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2150 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 32.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 72.1°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.7 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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