Minneapolis MN vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 293,109 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.6 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.6% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 45.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 5.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $55,279 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $38,947 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,527 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 40.2% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 45.4% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 501 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2418 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 36.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.8% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | 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
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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