City comparison
Yes. Minneapolis's crime index is 303 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 314 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
The income gap between Minneapolis and Cleveland is significant: $80,846 median household versus $64,468. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,060 in Cleveland.
Minneapolis is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cleveland makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Minneapolis is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cleveland at $1,060 average has pockets that run $860 and others at $1,460: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Minneapolis and Cleveland are 629 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $311 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $16,378 (20%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 341 in Cleveland, up 38 points (13%).
The move
Cleveland and Minneapolis are 629 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $311 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $16,378 (25%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 303 in Minneapolis, down 38 points (11%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cleveland, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 23% cheaper than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Cleveland is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $311/month back in your pocket ($3,732/year). Over five years that's $18,660 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, Cleveland 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
25% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 25% higher than Cleveland
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Cleveland
$64,468
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Minneapolis (about $16,378 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. Cleveland can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
11% lower crime
Minneapolis's crime index is 11% lower than Cleveland
Minneapolis
Winner303 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis's crime index is 303 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Minneapolis. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Minneapolis, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Cleveland. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 9% more comfortable than Cleveland
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 25% 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.
Minneapolis is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Cleveland (303 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 Cleveland
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,060/month in Cleveland versus $1,371 in Minneapolis. Median income reads $64,468 in Cleveland and $80,846 in Minneapolis, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Cleveland rent at $1,060/month is still below Minneapolis's $1,371, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 26/100 in Minneapolis and 23/100 in Cleveland.
Cleveland clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Minneapolis deserves a serious look only when your $80,846 income offer in Minneapolis outweighs saving $311/month in Cleveland.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Cleveland, plus other cities in MN and OH.
