Minneapolis MN vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 61.6% | 50.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 49.9% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $1,006,261 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 47.6% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 61.6°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.9 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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