City comparison
Yes. Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 193 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Safety is where Atlanta and Minneapolis split most clearly. Atlanta scores 106 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Atlanta is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Minneapolis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Atlanta is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Minneapolis at $1,371 average has pockets that run $1,171 and others at $1,771: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Atlanta and Minneapolis are 908 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $340 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $4,806 (6%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 303 in Minneapolis, up 106 points (54%).
The move
Minneapolis and Atlanta are 908 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $340 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $4,806 (6%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 197 in Atlanta, down 106 points (35%).
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Atlanta and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 20% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Minneapolis is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,080, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Minneapolis still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Atlanta.
Planning to buy in Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Atlanta's median income is 6% higher than Minneapolis
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Minneapolis
$80,846
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Atlanta (about $4,806 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
35% lower crime
Atlanta's crime index is 35% lower than Minneapolis
Atlanta
Winner197 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% lower in Atlanta. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Atlanta is the easier city. Minneapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
24% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 24% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta scores 24% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Minneapolis if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 6% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Atlanta is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 35% lower than Minneapolis (197 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,371 a month. Choose Minneapolis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Atlanta: Atlanta scores 39/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis, with typical rent at $1,711 versus $1,371. I would vet the exact ZIP in Minneapolis before trading 13 safety points for housing savings.
Atlanta still pays more locally ($85,652 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Atlanta rates.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Atlanta and 55°F in Minneapolis.
If safety drives your move, Atlanta is the stronger match (39/100 safety versus 26/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Minneapolis, treat $1,371/month rent and $80,846 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and Minneapolis, plus other cities in GA and MN.
