Minneapolis MN vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 98,677 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.5% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 57.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $52,671 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $34,792 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 19.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 28.9% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 41.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.4% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 56.0°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 44.5 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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