Minneapolis MN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Minneapolis
426,845
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Washington
13.3%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.9 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 13.3% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 39.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 4.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $580,173 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 41.1% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 24.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 32.8 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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