City comparison
No. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Anaheim split most clearly. Anaheim scores 160 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,371 in Minneapolis and $2,175 in Anaheim.
Anaheim 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 Anaheim 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
Minneapolis and Anaheim are 1,516 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $804 a month (59%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $14,381 (18%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 143 in Anaheim, down 160 points (53%).
The move
Anaheim and Minneapolis are 1,516 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $804 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $14,381 (15%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 303 in Minneapolis, up 160 points (112%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 37% cheaper than Anaheim
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Minneapolis is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $804/month back in your pocket ($9,648/year). Over five years that's $48,240 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 Anaheim, 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 Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
18% higher
Anaheim's median income is 18% higher than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$80,846
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Anaheim (about $14,381 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, Anaheim 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
53% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 53% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 53% lower in Anaheim. 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, Anaheim 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
Anaheim weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Anaheim
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim 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
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 37% 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.
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 18% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 53% lower than Minneapolis (143 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.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,371/month in Minneapolis versus $2,175 in Anaheim. Median income reads $80,846 in Minneapolis and $95,227 in Anaheim, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Safety still diverges (49/100 in Anaheim vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Minneapolis and 76°F in Anaheim.
Pick Minneapolis when shaving $804 off rent at $1,371/month is the priority. Otherwise, Anaheim's case rests on $2,175/month rent with $95,227 local income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Anaheim, plus other cities in MN and CA.
