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Minneapolis vs St. Paul: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Minneapolis is 4% more expensive than St. Paul. St. Paul is 46% safer. Minneapolis population: 430,324. St. Paul population: 306,684.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingSt. Paul
SafetySt. Paul
HousingSt. Paul

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Minneapolis vs St. Paul

St. Paul is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 115 vs 120 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 5 index points.

CategoryMinneapolisSt. Paul
Overall Index120115
Housing$3,026/moIndex: 170$2,812/moIndex: 158
Groceries$431/moIndex: 105$426/moIndex: 104
Transportation$368/moIndex: 105$364/moIndex: 104
Healthcare$346/moIndex: 108$339/moIndex: 106
Utilities$209/moIndex: 95$207/moIndex: 94

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Minneapolis vs St. Paul

St. Paul is 46% safer overall, with a crime rate of 27.5 per 1,000 residents vs Minneapolis's 50.5. St. Paul earns a C safety grade compared to Minneapolis's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

Minneapolis

Minnesota

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeD-
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate50.5/1K
TrendImproving
C

St. Paul

Minnesota

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC
Crime Rate27.5/1K
TrendStable
MetricMinneapolisSt. Paul
Overall Crime Rate50.5/1K27.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate850.0417.2
Property Crime Rate4200.02336.8
Murder Rate11.05.7
Assault Rate544.1340.7
Robbery Rate188.454.1
Burglary Rate739.1292.3
Theft Rate3221.71458.3
Vehicle Theft Rate536.4246.5

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Minneapolis, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 36 in St. Paul.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Minneapolis. A full comparison requires both cities.

Minneapolis Climate Overview

Annual High54.9°F
Annual Low36.9°F
Annual Rain30.4"
Annual Snow53.6"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Minneapolis cheaper than St. Paul?
St. Paul is 4% more affordable than Minneapolis, with a cost of living index of 115 vs 120 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $3,026/mo in Minneapolis vs $2,812/mo in St. Paul.
Is Minneapolis safer than St. Paul?
St. Paul is 46% safer overall, with a crime rate of 27.5 per 1,000 residents vs Minneapolis's 50.5. St. Paul earns a C safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Minneapolis or St. Paul?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul is safer (C grade). St. Paul is more affordable (index 115 vs 120). Minneapolis has a population of 430,324 and St. Paul has 306,684. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Minneapolis compared to St. Paul?
Minneapolis has a population of 430,324 and St. Paul has 306,684. Minneapolis is 40% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Minneapolis or St. Paul?
Housing is cheaper in St. Paul. Estimated monthly housing costs: Minneapolis $3,026/mo vs St. Paul $2,812/mo. That's based on a housing index of 170 vs 158 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
Minneapolis Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C
St. Paul Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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