City comparison
Yes. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Minneapolis is significant: $140,970 median household versus $80,846. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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
San Francisco and Minneapolis are 1,581 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $1,105 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $60,124 (43%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 303 in Minneapolis, up 120 points (66%).
The move
Minneapolis and San Francisco are 1,581 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,105 a month (81%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $60,124 (74%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 183 in San Francisco, down 120 points (40%).
San Francisco, 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 San Francisco and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 45% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Minneapolis is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $1,105/month back in your pocket ($13,260/year). Over five years that's $66,300 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
74% higher
San Francisco's median income is 74% higher than Minneapolis
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Minneapolis
$80,846
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 74% higher in San Francisco (about $60,124 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, San Francisco is the stronger labor market on paper. Minneapolis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
40% lower crime
San Francisco's crime index is 40% lower than Minneapolis
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in San Francisco. 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, San Francisco 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
San Francisco weather is 39% more comfortable than Minneapolis
San Francisco
Winner65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°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. San Francisco 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 74% higher ($140,970), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 65°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
San Francisco 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 (183 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 45% 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
Rent is the clearest fork: Minneapolis at $1,371/month versus $2,476 in San Francisco ($1,105 apart). San Francisco median income is $140,970 against $80,846 in Minneapolis, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Minneapolis rent at $1,371/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 26/100 in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. San Francisco deserves a serious look only when your $140,970 income offer in San Francisco outweighs saving $1,105/month in Minneapolis.
Common questions
Ready to move to San Francisco?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for San Francisco when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Minneapolis, plus other cities in CA and MN.
