City comparison
Yes. Sacramento's crime index is 181 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 213 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
Safety is where Sacramento and Minneapolis split most clearly. Sacramento scores 122 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,779 in Sacramento and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Sacramento is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Minneapolis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Sacramento 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
Sacramento and Minneapolis are 1,511 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $408 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $6,475 (7%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 303 in Minneapolis, up 122 points (67%).
The move
Minneapolis and Sacramento are 1,511 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $408 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $6,475 (8%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 181 in Sacramento, down 122 points (40%).
Sacramento, CA
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 Sacramento and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 23% cheaper than Sacramento
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Minneapolis is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $408/month back in your pocket ($4,896/year). Over five years that's $24,480 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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Sacramento's median income is 8% higher than Minneapolis
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Minneapolis
$80,846
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Sacramento (about $6,475 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
40% lower crime
Sacramento's crime index is 40% lower than Minneapolis
Sacramento
Winner181 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Sacramento's crime index is 181 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in Sacramento. 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, Sacramento 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
39% more comfortable
Sacramento weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Sacramento
Winner71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Sacramento averages about 71°F (83°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Sacramento sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Sacramento scores 39% 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 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 8% higher ($87,321), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Sacramento is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 40% lower than Minneapolis (181 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% 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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Sacramento: Sacramento scores 42/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis, with typical rent at $1,779 versus $1,371. I would vet the exact ZIP in Minneapolis before trading 16 safety points for housing savings.
Sacramento still pays more locally ($87,321 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Sacramento rates.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Sacramento and 55°F in Minneapolis.
Pick Sacramento when you want the stronger safety signal (42/100). Otherwise, Minneapolis's case rests on a Minneapolis ZIP you trust at $1,371 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Sacramento when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Sacramento and Minneapolis, plus other cities in CA and MN.
