City comparison
No. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Plano split most clearly. Plano scores 241 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 $1,841 in Plano.
Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano are 846 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $470 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $112,253 in Plano, up $31,407 (39%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 62 in Plano, down 241 points (80%).
The move
Plano and Minneapolis are 846 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $470 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $31,407 (28%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 303 in Minneapolis, up 241 points (389%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 26% cheaper than Plano
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Plano
$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,841 in Plano, so Minneapolis is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $470/month back in your pocket ($5,640/year). Over five years that's $28,200 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
39% higher
Plano's median income is 39% higher than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$80,846
Plano
Winner$112,253
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 39% higher in Plano (about $31,407 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, Plano 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
80% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 80% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 80% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
Plano weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano 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 26% 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 39% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 80% lower than Minneapolis (62 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: Plano scores 75/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,841/month in Plano and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Minneapolis rent at $1,371/month is still below Plano's $1,841, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,841 in Plano.
Plano is ahead on safety (75/100 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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Nearby research
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