City comparison
Yes. Virginia Beach's crime index is 62 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 29 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Minneapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,371 a month versus $1,714 in Virginia Beach.
Safety is where Virginia Beach and Minneapolis split most clearly. Virginia Beach scores 241 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,714 in Virginia Beach and $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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
Virginia Beach and Minneapolis are 1,060 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,714 a month in Virginia Beach to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, down $343 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $92,968 in Virginia Beach to $80,846 in Minneapolis, down $12,122 (13%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Virginia Beach to 303 in Minneapolis, up 241 points (389%).
The move
Minneapolis and Virginia Beach are 1,060 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,714 a month in Virginia Beach, up $343 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $92,968 in Virginia Beach, up $12,122 (15%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 62 in Virginia Beach, down 241 points (80%).
Virginia Beach, VA
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 Virginia Beach and Minneapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Minneapolis rent is 20% cheaper than Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach
$1,714/mo
Minneapolis
Winner$1,371/mo
Typical rent runs $1,371 a month in Minneapolis versus $1,714 in Virginia Beach, so Minneapolis is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $4,116, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Minneapolis still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Virginia Beach.
Planning to buy in Virginia Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
15% higher
Virginia Beach's median income is 15% higher than Minneapolis
Virginia Beach
Winner$92,968
Minneapolis
$80,846
Median household income is $92,968 in Virginia Beach versus $80,846 in Minneapolis, so typical pay runs 15% higher in Virginia Beach (about $12,122 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, Virginia Beach 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
80% lower crime
Virginia Beach's crime index is 80% lower than Minneapolis
Virginia Beach
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Virginia Beach's crime index is 62 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 80% lower in Virginia Beach. 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, Virginia Beach 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
15% more comfortable
Virginia Beach weather is 15% more comfortable than Minneapolis
Virginia Beach
Winner59°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 83/100
Minneapolis
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Virginia Beach averages about 59°F (63°F highs); Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs). Virginia Beach averages around 59°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. Virginia Beach scores 15% 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 15% higher ($92,968), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Virginia Beach is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 80% lower than Minneapolis (62 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 20% 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
Safety is the widest gap: Virginia Beach scores 75/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,714/month in Virginia Beach and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Virginia Beach still pays more locally ($92,968 median income vs $80,846), which can offset the lease if your field pays Virginia Beach rates.
Median income is $92,968 in Virginia Beach versus $80,846 in Minneapolis.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Virginia Beach; Minneapolis only makes sense when you have walked the Minneapolis ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,371 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Virginia Beach when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Virginia Beach and Minneapolis, plus other cities in VA and MN.
