City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Madison split most clearly. Madison scores 212 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 $1,413 in Madison.
Minneapolis is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Madison 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 crime gap is citywide. Madison has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Minneapolis and Madison are 233 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $42 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $78,050 in Madison, down $2,796 (3%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 91 in Madison, down 212 points (70%).
The move
Madison and Minneapolis are 233 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $42 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $2,796 (4%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 303 in Minneapolis, up 212 points (233%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 3% cheaper than Madison
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,413 in Madison, so Minneapolis is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $42, or $504 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 4% higher than Madison
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Madison
$78,050
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $78,050 in Madison, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Minneapolis (about $2,796 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
70% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 70% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% lower in Madison. 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, Madison 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
13% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 13% more comfortable than Madison
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis scores 13% 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 Madison 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
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% 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.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 4% 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
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 70% lower than Minneapolis (91 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 Madison: Madison scores 63/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis, with typical rent at $1,413 versus $1,371. I would vet the exact ZIP in Minneapolis before trading 37 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (63/100 in Madison vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $78,050 in Madison.
Madison clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Minneapolis deserves a serious look only when you already know the Minneapolis block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and Madison, plus other cities in MN and WI.
