City comparison
Yes. Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 189 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Long Beach and Minneapolis. Long Beach averages 71°F while Minneapolis averages 55°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,871 versus $1,371.
Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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
Long Beach and Minneapolis are 1,531 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $500 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $6,584 (8%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 303 in Minneapolis, up 116 points (62%).
The move
Minneapolis and Long Beach are 1,531 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $500 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $6,584 (8%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 187 in Long Beach, down 116 points (38%).
Long Beach, CA
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 Long Beach and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 27% cheaper than Long Beach
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Minneapolis is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $500/month back in your pocket ($6,000/year). Over five years that's $30,000 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 Long Beach, 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 Long Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Long Beach's median income is 8% higher than Minneapolis
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Minneapolis
$80,846
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Long Beach (about $6,584 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
38% lower crime
Long Beach's crime index is 38% lower than Minneapolis
Long Beach
Winner187 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Long Beach's crime index is 187 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Long Beach. 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, Long Beach 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
Long Beach weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Long Beach
Winner71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Long Beach averages about 71°F (77°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Long Beach sits near 71°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. Long Beach 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 8% higher ($87,430), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Long Beach is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Minneapolis (187 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 27% 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Long Beach leads on safety (41/100 vs 26/100 in Minneapolis). Typical rent is $1,871 in Long Beach and $1,371 in Minneapolis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Long Beach still pays more locally ($87,430 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Long Beach rates.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Long Beach and 55°F in Minneapolis.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Long Beach; 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
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Long Beach and Minneapolis, plus other cities in CA and MN.
