City comparison
No. Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 152 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $2,007 in Jersey City.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Jersey City split most clearly. Jersey City scores 168 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 $2,007 in Jersey City.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Minneapolis costs less and Jersey City 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. 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 Jersey City are 1,012 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $2,007 a month in Jersey City, up $636 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $97,710 in Jersey City, up $16,864 (21%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 135 in Jersey City, down 168 points (55%).
The move
Jersey City and Minneapolis are 1,012 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,007 a month in Jersey City to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $636 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $97,710 in Jersey City to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $16,864 (17%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Jersey City to 303 in Minneapolis, up 168 points (124%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Jersey City, NJ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Jersey City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 32% cheaper than Jersey City
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Jersey City
$2,007/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $2,007 in Jersey City, so Minneapolis is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $636/month back in your pocket ($7,632/year). Over five years that's $38,160 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 Jersey City, 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
21% higher
Jersey City's median income is 21% higher than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$80,846
Jersey City
Winner$97,710
Median household income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Jersey City (about $16,864 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, Jersey City 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
55% lower crime
Jersey City's crime index is 55% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Jersey City
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Jersey City's crime index is 135 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% lower in Jersey City. 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, Jersey City 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 Jersey City
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Jersey City
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Jersey City 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. Jersey City 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 Jersey City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% 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.
Pick Minneapolis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (55°F) beat Jersey City on this page's weather index by 9%. Jersey City may pay more or cost less, but Minneapolis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Jersey City is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% higher here ($97,710). Start with Jersey City if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Jersey City is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Minneapolis (135 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: Jersey City scores 51/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $2,007/month in Jersey City and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Jersey City still pays more locally ($97,710 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Jersey City rates.
Median income is $97,710 in Jersey City versus $80,846 in Minneapolis.
Jersey City is ahead on safety (51/100 vs 26/100); Minneapolis is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,371/month rent plus $80,846 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Jersey City, plus other cities in MN and NJ.
