Minneapolis MN vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 220,482 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.3 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.2% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 59.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $44,756 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 33.5% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $496,966 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 37.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.7% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 53.5°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 39.2 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 31.1 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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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