City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Gilbert split most clearly. Gilbert scores 256 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 $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert 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 Gilbert 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 Gilbert are 1,271 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $739 a month (54%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $41,705 (52%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 47 in Gilbert, down 256 points (84%).
The move
Gilbert and Minneapolis are 1,271 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $739 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $41,705 (34%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 303 in Minneapolis, up 256 points (545%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 35% cheaper than Gilbert
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Minneapolis is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $739/month back in your pocket ($8,868/year). Over five years that's $44,340 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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
52% higher
Gilbert's median income is 52% higher than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$80,846
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 52% higher in Gilbert (about $41,705 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, Gilbert 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
84% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 84% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 84% lower in Gilbert. 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, Gilbert 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
Gilbert weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert 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 35% 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 52% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 84% lower than Minneapolis (47 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Gilbert leads on safety (83/100 vs 26/100 in Minneapolis). Typical rent is $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,371 in Minneapolis; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Minneapolis and 80°F in Gilbert.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Gilbert; Minneapolis only makes sense when you have walked the Minneapolis ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,371 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Gilbert, plus other cities in MN and AZ.
