The city can be a value, but not automatically
Minneapolis looks affordable against large coastal metros, but it is not cheap once you target desirable neighborhoods, newer buildings, garage parking, or family-size housing.
Minneapolis by the Numbers
A dense, practical snapshot of Minneapolis for people deciding whether to move. Use these numbers as a filter, then research the exact neighborhood before signing a lease or making an offer.
By Ben
Published April 19, 2026 · Updated April 27, 2026
Quick read
Strong livability indicators, but not a one-size-fits-all move.
Minneapolis has strong education levels, solid incomes, major parks, strong bike access, a large airport, and a real urban identity. It is still a city where winter matters, neighborhood choice matters, and the best move may be Minneapolis proper or a nearby suburb.
PopulationAbout 429,000
Median incomeAbout $81,000
Home valueAbout $360,000
Gross rentAbout $1,370
Demographics and household profile
Basic population, density, and household context.
| Data point | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | About 429,000 | Large enough to feel like a real city, much smaller than major coastal metros. |
| Population density | About 8,000 people per sq. mile | Dense enough for city living without mega-city intensity. |
| Persons per household | About 2.1 | Signals many singles, couples, roommates, and smaller households. |
| Foreign-born population | About 14% | Shows meaningful immigrant presence. |
Source type: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts / ACS estimates. Round figures before making a current decision.
Housing and rent data
Core numbers for buyers, renters, and city-vs-suburb comparisons.
| Housing metric | Value | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner-occupied home value | About $360,000 | Minneapolis is not bargain-priced just because it is in the Midwest. |
| Median gross rent | About $1,370 | Useful Census baseline for rent burden. |
| Average market rent | Often higher than Census gross rent | Current listings may feel more expensive than long-running data suggests. |
| Owner-occupied housing rate | Under half | Reinforces Minneapolis as more renter-heavy than many suburbs. |
Source types: U.S. Census Bureau, Redfin housing market pages, Zillow rental market trends. Market figures change frequently.
The biggest housing question is often city vs close-in suburb
If you want easier ownership, more parking, bigger lots, or simpler school planning, the broader metro may fit better than Minneapolis proper.
Income, employment, and affordability context
These numbers help answer whether the city’s cost structure matches its earning base.
| Economic metric | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | About $81,000 | Solid city income base by U.S. standards. |
| Per capita income | About $53,000 | Useful for understanding individual earning power. |
| Poverty rate | Meaningful city-level poverty remains | Shows that inequality matters even in a strong metro. |
| Labor force participation | High compared with many places | Signals an engaged working-age population. |
Source type: U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics metro labor data.
Commute, transit, walkability, and access
Minneapolis is more usable without constant driving than many peer metros, but location still matters.
| Mobility metric | Value | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Mean travel time to work | About 22 minutes | Shorter than many large metros, but your real commute depends on job and neighborhood. |
| Walk Score | Very walkable city average | Neighborhood variation is large. |
| Bike Score | Strong | One of the city’s clearer quality-of-life advantages. |
| MSP Airport | Major passenger airport | Important for frequent flyers and people with distant family. |
Source types: Census commute data, Walk Score city profile, Metropolitan Airports Commission / MSP Airport.
Parks and outdoor infrastructure
This is one of the strongest citywide arguments for Minneapolis.
| Park metric | Value / takeaway | Why movers care |
|---|---|---|
| Parkland and water | Thousands of acres | Large enough to shape daily life, not just aesthetics. |
| Park properties | Extensive citywide network | Shows distributed access across the city. |
| Grand Rounds | Major biking and walking network | A practical amenity for active households. |
| Lakes | Multiple lakes inside the park system | Water recreation is part of the urban fabric. |
Source type: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Climate and weather context
These are not trivia numbers. They shape daily life.
| Climate metric | Takeaway | Why movers care |
|---|---|---|
| Winter character | Long, cold, and routine-changing | Parking, walking, transit, and social habits all change. |
| Annual snowfall | Substantial | Snow is a normal part of planning, not a rare event. |
| Summer | Warm and active | Warm seasons are a major lifestyle payoff. |
Source type: NOAA climate normals and local weather summaries.
Data points that support moving
- High educational attainment
- Solid city incomes
- Short average commute time
- Strong bikeability and decent walkability
- Huge, actively used park system
Data points that should make you pause
- Housing is not truly cheap in desirable areas
- Market rents may exceed expectations
- Owner-occupancy is under half
- Winter climate is a real lifestyle factor
- Citywide averages hide neighborhood differences
Data sources to use before updating this page
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and ACS tables for Minneapolis city, Minnesota
- Redfin Minneapolis Housing Market
- Zillow Rental Market Trends: Minneapolis
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics metro labor data
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- Metropolitan Airports Commission / MSP Airport
- Walk Score city profile
- City of Minneapolis crime dashboard for current neighborhood research
This page intentionally rounds many figures. Before publication updates, verify the latest numbers and dates from the original source.