City comparison
Yes. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
Safety is where Boston and Minneapolis split most clearly. Boston scores 156 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,147 in Boston and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Minneapolis costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Boston and Minneapolis are 1,121 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $776 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $16,498 (17%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 303 in Minneapolis, up 156 points (106%).
The move
Minneapolis and Boston are 1,121 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $776 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $97,344 in Boston, up $16,498 (20%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 147 in Boston, down 156 points (51%).
Boston, MA
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 Boston and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 36% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $2,147 in Boston, so Minneapolis is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $776/month back in your pocket ($9,312/year). Over five years that's $46,560 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 Boston, 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 Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
20% higher
Boston's median income is 20% higher than Minneapolis
Boston
Winner$97,344
Minneapolis
$80,846
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Boston (about $16,498 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, Boston 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
51% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 51% lower than Minneapolis
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% lower in Boston. 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, Boston 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
22% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 22% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
Minneapolis
Winner57°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 78/100
Boston averages about 52°F (58°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 57°F (65°F highs). Boston averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis scores 22% 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 Boston 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 and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 20% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 51% lower than Minneapolis (147 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% 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.
Pick Minneapolis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (57°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 22%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Minneapolis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Minneapolis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (26/100 safety vs 48/100 in Boston). That 22-point spread matters more than the $776 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Boston still pays more locally ($97,344 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boston rates.
Median income is $97,344 in Boston versus $80,846 in Minneapolis.
Boston clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Minneapolis deserves a serious look only when you already know the Minneapolis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Minneapolis when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and Minneapolis, plus other cities in MA and MN.
