City comparison
No. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Safety is where Minneapolis and St Paul split most clearly. St Paul scores 137 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 $1,281 in St Paul.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Paul 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 crime gap is citywide. St Paul has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Minneapolis and St Paul are 9 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $90 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $73,394 in St Paul, down $7,452 (9%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 166 in St Paul, down 137 points (45%).
The move
St Paul and Minneapolis are 9 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $90 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $7,452 (10%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 303 in Minneapolis, up 137 points (83%).
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Paul, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Minneapolis and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
St Paul rent is 7% cheaper than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so St Paul is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $90, or $1,080 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 St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 10% higher than St Paul
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
St Paul
$73,394
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Minneapolis (about $7,452 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
45% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 45% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% lower in St Paul. 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, St Paul 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
24% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 24% more comfortable than St Paul
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis scores 24% 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 St Paul 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
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 10% 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
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
St Paul is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 45% lower than Minneapolis (166 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
Minneapolis carries the heavier crime signal on this page (26/100 safety vs 45/100 in St Paul). That 19-point spread matters more than the $90 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Safety still diverges (45/100 in St Paul vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $73,394 in St Paul.
St Paul 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
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