City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Minneapolis is significant: $61,953 median household versus $80,846. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Philadelphia and Minneapolis are 983 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $26 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $18,893 (30%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 303 in Minneapolis, up 42 points (16%).
The move
Minneapolis and Philadelphia are 983 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $26 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $18,893 (23%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 261 in Philadelphia, down 42 points (14%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 2% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Minneapolis is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $26, or $312 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 Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
30% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 30% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 30% higher in Minneapolis (about $18,893 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. Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia's crime index is 14% lower than Minneapolis
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Philadelphia. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Philadelphia, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Minneapolis. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 4% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°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 4% 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 Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia 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 Minneapolis (261 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 2% 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 30% 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
Minneapolis posts $80,846 median household income against $61,953 in Philadelphia. That 23% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
With only $26 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Philadelphia and 55°F in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis leads on local pay ($80,846 median income vs $61,953), even though rent runs $1,371 versus $1,397 — skip Minneapolis only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Minneapolis when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Minneapolis, plus other cities in PA and MN.
