City comparison
No. Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 35 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Minneapolis and 2024 FBI data for Cape Coral.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Cape Coral split most clearly. Cape Coral scores 257 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 $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Minneapolis is the easier city on typical rent, but Cape Coral can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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 Cape Coral are 1,419 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,858 a month in Cape Coral, up $487 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $78,104 in Cape Coral, down $2,742 (3%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 46 in Cape Coral, down 257 points (85%).
The move
Cape Coral and Minneapolis are 1,419 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,858 a month in Cape Coral to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $487 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $78,104 in Cape Coral to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $2,742 (4%).
The crime index goes from 46 in Cape Coral to 303 in Minneapolis, up 257 points (559%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cape Coral, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 26% cheaper than Cape Coral
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Cape Coral
$1,858/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,858 in Cape Coral, so Minneapolis is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $487/month back in your pocket ($5,844/year). Over five years that's $29,220 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 Cape Coral, 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 Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 4% higher than Cape Coral
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Cape Coral
$78,104
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $78,104 in Cape Coral, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Minneapolis (about $2,742 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
85% lower crime
Cape Coral's crime index is 85% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral
Winner46 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 85% lower in Cape Coral. 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, Cape Coral 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
Cape Coral weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Cape Coral
Winner73°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Cape Coral averages about 73°F (79°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cape Coral sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cape Coral 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 26% 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 4% 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 Cape Coral 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 39%. Minneapolis may pay more or cost less, but Cape Coral is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Cape Coral is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 85% lower than Minneapolis (46 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Cape Coral: Cape Coral scores 84/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis, with typical rent at $1,858 versus $1,371. I would vet the exact ZIP in Minneapolis before trading 58 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (84/100 in Cape Coral vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Minneapolis and 73°F in Cape Coral.
Pick Cape Coral when you want the stronger safety signal (84/100). Otherwise, Minneapolis's case rests on a Minneapolis ZIP you trust at $1,371 rent.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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