Minneapolis MN vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 307,762 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.5 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 61.6% | 53.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 16.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 9.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Saint Paul
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $73,055 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $41,594 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 43.5% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Saint Paul
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Saint Paul
1992
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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