Minneapolis MN vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 75,721 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 61.6% | 48.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 2.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 6.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $765,686 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 45.2% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 383 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3409 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 53.2°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 40.1 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.4 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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