City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Minneapolis split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 153 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Minneapolis is the easier city on typical rent, but Jacksonville can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Jacksonville has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Jacksonville and Minneapolis are 1,192 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $94 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $10,974 (16%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 303 in Minneapolis, up 153 points (102%).
The move
Minneapolis and Jacksonville are 1,192 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $94 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $10,974 (14%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 150 in Jacksonville, down 153 points (50%).
Jacksonville, FL
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 Jacksonville and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 6% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Minneapolis is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $94, or $1,128 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 Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 16% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Minneapolis (about $10,974 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. Jacksonville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
50% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 50% lower than Minneapolis
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% lower in Jacksonville. 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, Jacksonville 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
36% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 36% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°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. Jacksonville scores 36% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Jacksonville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat Minneapolis on this page's weather index by 36%. Minneapolis may pay more or cost less, but Jacksonville is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 50% lower than Minneapolis (150 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 and professional growth
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% 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.
Minneapolis is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 16% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Jacksonville: Jacksonville scores 48/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis, with typical rent at $1,465 versus $1,371. I would vet the exact ZIP in Minneapolis before trading 22 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (48/100 in Jacksonville vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $69,872 in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville 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
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Minneapolis, plus other cities in FL and MN.
