City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 171 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 $1,470 in Arlington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Minneapolis is the easier city on typical rent, but Arlington 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. Arlington has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Minneapolis and Arlington are 871 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $99 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $75,171 in Arlington, down $5,675 (7%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 132 in Arlington, down 171 points (56%).
The move
Arlington and Minneapolis are 871 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $99 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $5,675 (8%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 303 in Minneapolis, up 171 points (130%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 7% cheaper than Arlington
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Minneapolis is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $99, or $1,188 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
8% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 8% higher than Arlington
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Minneapolis (about $5,675 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
56% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 56% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 56% lower in Arlington. 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, Arlington 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
Arlington weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington 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 and professional growth
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% 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 8% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Arlington if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (67°F) beat Minneapolis on this page's weather index by 39%. Minneapolis may pay more or cost less, but Arlington is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 56% lower than Minneapolis (132 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
Safety is the widest gap: Arlington scores 52/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,470/month in Arlington and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (52/100 in Arlington vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $75,171 in Arlington.
Between Minneapolis and Arlington, Arlington is ahead on safety — 52/100 safety versus 26/100. Lean Minneapolis instead 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 Minneapolis and Arlington, plus other cities in MN and TX.
