Minneapolis MN vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Portland
12.4%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.6 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.4% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 18.3% | 5.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $63,691 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 53.5% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $538,687 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 355 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3001 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 51.6°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 78.3 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 26.5 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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