City comparison
No. Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 237 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
The income gap between Minneapolis and Cincinnati is significant: $80,846 median household versus $52,909. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,001 in Cincinnati.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cincinnati costs less and Minneapolis pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cincinnati at $1,001 average has pockets that run $801 and others at $1,401: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Minneapolis and Cincinnati are 604 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $370 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $27,937 (35%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 231 in Cincinnati, down 72 points (24%).
The move
Cincinnati and Minneapolis are 604 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $370 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $27,937 (53%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 303 in Minneapolis, up 72 points (31%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cincinnati, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 27% cheaper than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Cincinnati is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $370/month back in your pocket ($4,440/year). Over five years that's $22,200 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 Minneapolis, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Cincinnati is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
53% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 53% higher than Cincinnati
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 53% higher in Minneapolis (about $27,937 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. Cincinnati can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
24% lower crime
Cincinnati's crime index is 24% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
Winner231 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati's crime index is 231 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 24% lower in Cincinnati. 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, Cincinnati 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
9% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 9% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis scores 9% 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 Cincinnati 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 53% higher ($80,846), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,001 a month. Choose Cincinnati if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Cincinnati is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 24% lower than Minneapolis (231 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
Pay is the headline: Minneapolis median income is $80,846 versus $52,909 in Cincinnati (35% higher). Rent still runs $1,371/month in Minneapolis and $1,001/month in Cincinnati, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Minneapolis rates.
Minneapolis still pays more locally ($80,846 median income vs $52,909), which can offset the lease if your field pays Minneapolis rates.
Safety scores read 26/100 in Minneapolis and 35/100 in Cincinnati.
If local pay drives your move, Minneapolis is the stronger match ($80,846 median income against $52,909). If an employer or family tie already points to Cincinnati, treat $1,001/month rent and $52,909 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Cincinnati, plus other cities in MN and OH.
