Minneapolis MN vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 105,460 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.6 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 18.3% | 1.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 7.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $70,722 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $35,235 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 24.8% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $414,734 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, 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%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 35.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, 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 Spokane Valley. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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