City comparison
Yes. New York's crime index is 169 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 195 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,821 in New York.
Safety is where New York and Minneapolis split most clearly. New York scores 134 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,821 in New York and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
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. New York 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 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
New York and Minneapolis are 1,016 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $450 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $363 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 303 in Minneapolis, up 134 points (79%).
The move
Minneapolis and New York are 1,016 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,821 a month in New York, up $450 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $80,483 in New York, down $363 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 169 in New York, down 134 points (44%).
New York, NY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Minneapolis, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing New York and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 25% cheaper than New York
New York
$1,821/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,821 in New York, so Minneapolis is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $450/month back in your pocket ($5,400/year). Over five years that's $27,000 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 New York, 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 Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 1% higher than New York
New York
$80,483
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $80,483 in New York, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Minneapolis (about $363 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
44% lower crime
New York's crime index is 44% lower than Minneapolis
New York
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
New York's crime index is 169 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in New York. 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, New York 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 New York
New York
52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
New York averages about 52°F (58°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). New York averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis averages around 55°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 New York if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
New York is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Minneapolis (169 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
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 25% 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 1% 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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward New York: New York scores 44/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis, with typical rent at $1,821 versus $1,371. I would vet the exact ZIP in Minneapolis before trading 18 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (44/100 in New York vs 26/100 in Minneapolis), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 52°F in New York and 55°F in Minneapolis.
If safety drives your move, New York is the stronger match (44/100 safety versus 26/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Minneapolis, treat $1,371/month rent and $80,846 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for New York and Minneapolis, plus other cities in NY and MN.
