City comparison
Yes. Columbus's crime index is 164 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 140 versus 314, using 2024 FBI data for Columbus and 2024-2025 FBI data for Minneapolis.
Columbus is cheaper. Median rent is $1,295 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Safety is where Columbus and Minneapolis split most clearly. Columbus scores 139 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,295 in Columbus and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Columbus costs less and Minneapolis 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 crime gap is citywide. Columbus has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Columbus and Minneapolis are 627 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,295 a month in Columbus to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $76 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $66,082 in Columbus to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $14,764 (22%).
The crime index goes from 164 in Columbus to 303 in Minneapolis, up 139 points (85%).
The move
Minneapolis and Columbus are 627 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,295 a month in Columbus, down $76 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $66,082 in Columbus, down $14,764 (18%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 164 in Columbus, down 139 points (46%).
Columbus, OH
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 Columbus and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Columbus rent is 6% cheaper than Minneapolis
Columbus
Winner$1,295/mo
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,295 a month in Columbus versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Columbus is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $76, or $912 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Columbus? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
22% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 22% higher than Columbus
Columbus
$66,082
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $66,082 in Columbus, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Minneapolis (about $14,764 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, Minneapolis is the stronger labor market on paper. Columbus can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
46% lower crime
Columbus's crime index is 46% lower than Minneapolis
Columbus
Winner164 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Columbus's crime index is 164 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 46% lower in Columbus. 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, Columbus 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
9% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 9% more comfortable than Columbus
Columbus
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Columbus averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Columbus averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis scores 9% 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 Columbus if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Columbus is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% cheaper here at about $1,295 a month. Choose Columbus if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Columbus is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 46% lower than Minneapolis (164 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
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 22% higher ($80,846), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Minneapolis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (26/100 safety vs 45/100 in Columbus). That 19-point spread matters more than the $76 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Columbus rent at $1,295/month is still below Minneapolis's $1,371, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 53°F in Columbus and 55°F in Minneapolis.
Columbus 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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Nearby research
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