City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
Safety is where Austin and Minneapolis split most clearly. Austin scores 141 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,729 in Austin and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Austin 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 Austin 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
Austin and Minneapolis are 1,045 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $358 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $12,812 (14%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 303 in Minneapolis, up 141 points (87%).
The move
Minneapolis and Austin are 1,045 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $358 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $93,658 in Austin, up $12,812 (16%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 162 in Austin, down 141 points (47%).
Austin, TX
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 Austin and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 21% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,729 in Austin, so Minneapolis is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $358/month back in your pocket ($4,296/year). Over five years that's $21,480 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Austin, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Minneapolis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Austin's median income is 16% higher than Minneapolis
Austin
Winner$93,658
Minneapolis
$80,846
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Austin (about $12,812 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Minneapolis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
47% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 47% lower than Minneapolis
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 47% lower in Austin. 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, Austin 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
39% more comfortable
Austin weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Austin
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Austin sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Austin scores 39% 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 16% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 47% lower than Minneapolis (162 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 21% 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
Safety is the widest gap: Austin scores 45/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,729/month in Austin and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Austin still pays more locally ($93,658 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Austin rates.
Weather averages land near 68°F in Austin and 55°F in Minneapolis.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Austin; Minneapolis only makes sense when you have walked the Minneapolis ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,371 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Minneapolis, plus other cities in TX and MN.
