Minneapolis MN vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 303,620 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.5 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.3% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 18.3% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $64,137 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $43,590 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $65,080 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 19.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 47.8% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 47.2% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 319 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 51.8°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 39.3 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.0 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. 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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