City comparison
Yes. Minneapolis's crime index is 303 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 314 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
The income gap between Minneapolis and St Louis is significant: $80,846 median household versus $56,160. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,371 in Minneapolis and $997 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Minneapolis 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. St Louis at $997 average has pockets that run $797 and others at $1,397: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Minneapolis and St Louis are 466 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $997 a month in St Louis, down $374 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $56,160 in St Louis, down $24,686 (31%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 352 in St Louis, up 49 points (16%).
The move
St Louis and Minneapolis are 466 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $374 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $24,686 (44%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 303 in Minneapolis, down 49 points (14%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Louis, MO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
St Louis rent is 27% cheaper than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so St Louis is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $374/month back in your pocket ($4,488/year). Over five years that's $22,440 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 Minneapolis, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, St Louis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
44% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 44% higher than St Louis
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 44% higher in Minneapolis (about $24,686 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, Minneapolis is the stronger labor market on paper. St Louis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
14% lower crime
Minneapolis's crime index is 14% lower than St Louis
Minneapolis
Winner303 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis's crime index is 303 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Minneapolis. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Minneapolis, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in St Louis. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
11% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 11% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis scores 11% 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 better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 44% higher here ($80,846). Start with Minneapolis if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Minneapolis is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than St Louis (303 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.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $997 a month. Choose St Louis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick St Louis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (58°F) beat Minneapolis on this page's weather index by 11%. Minneapolis may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Minneapolis posts $80,846 median household income against $56,160 in St Louis. That 31% pay gap is the story when rents are $997 in St Louis and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis still pays more locally ($80,846 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Minneapolis rates.
Safety scores read 26/100 in Minneapolis and 22/100 in St Louis.
Minneapolis leads on local pay ($80,846 median income vs $56,160), even though rent runs $1,371 versus $997 — skip Minneapolis only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Minneapolis and St Louis, plus other cities in MN and MO.
