Minneapolis MN vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.6 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.7% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 58.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 5.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $54,546 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $31,152 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 18.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 30.2% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, 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 +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 33.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 69.8°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tucson 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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