Minneapolis MN vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 149,519 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.6 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.8% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 18.3% | 4.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $39,604 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 31.0% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $422,520 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 450 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2150 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 29.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 32.8 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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