Minneapolis MN vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.5 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.6% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 18.3% | 6.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $871,599 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 44.3% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, 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%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 52.6°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 37.5 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 28.8 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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