City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 152 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 $1,556 in Reno.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Minneapolis is the easier city on typical rent, but Reno can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Reno has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Minneapolis and Reno are 1,402 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $185 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $80,760 in Reno, down $86 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 151 in Reno, down 152 points (50%).
The move
Reno and Minneapolis are 1,402 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $185 a month (12%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $86 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 303 in Minneapolis, up 152 points (101%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
12% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 12% cheaper than Reno
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,556 in Reno, so Minneapolis is 12% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,220, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Minneapolis still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Reno.
Planning to buy in Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 1% higher than Reno
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Minneapolis (about $86 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
50% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 50% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% lower in Reno. 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, Reno 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
28% more comfortable
Reno weather is 28% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 28% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 12% 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.
Minneapolis is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Reno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Minneapolis on this page's weather index by 28%. Minneapolis may pay more or cost less, but Reno is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 50% lower than Minneapolis (151 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: Reno scores 47/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,556/month in Reno and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (47/100 in Reno vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,556 in Reno.
Between Minneapolis and Reno, Reno is ahead on safety — 47/100 safety versus 26/100. Lean Minneapolis instead 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 Reno, plus other cities in MN and NV.
