Are you considering Minneapolis vs Chicago as your next place to live? You might be wondering how these great cities compare and which metro would be the better fit for you. Both cities have a lot to offer. This guide takes a look at each one, so you can decide which one you might like to move to.
Minneapolis is part of one city of the “Twin Cities” in Minnesota, along with the state capital of St. Paul. Minneapolis features many cultural landmarks, such as the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Some of the popular events and festivals in Minneapolis include the Minnesota Fringe Festival and the May Day Parade.
Minneapolis is home to the University of Minnesota, with the ninth-largest student body in the United States, enrolling 54,890 students. The top industries in Minneapolis are trade, transportation, utilities, education, and health services. General Mills, the Pillsbury brand, Target Corporation, and Thermo King mobile refrigeration all started in Minneapolis.
Five Fortune 500 corporations are headquartered in Minneapolis, including Target Corporation, U.S. Bancorp, and Ameriprise Financial. Minneapolis has 6,084 acres of parks, and the park system has been rated the #1 park system in the U.S. seven times by The Trust for Public Land. Minneapolis is home to 4 professional sports teams. Singer and songwriter Prince was also born in Minneapolis and lived in the area for most of his life.
Chicago, nicknamed the Windy City, Chi-Town, and Second City, is the third-most populous city in the United States. Chicago is a hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, education, and more. Major corporations in Chicago include Kraft Heinz, McDonald’s, Quaker Oats, Target, and Walgreens. O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country.
Chicago has a thriving arts scene and many top-notch museums. Chicago operates more than 570 parks with over 8,000 acres of parkland, including 31 sand beaches, two world-class conservatories, and 50 nature areas. Chicago is well known for its deep-dish pizza and the Chicago-style hot dog.
Two of the premier academic medical centers in the country are located in Chicago: Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Chicago Medical Center. The University of Chicago ranked one of the world’s top ten universities, is located in the city. Chicago has teams in all major professional sports. Many films and TV shows have been shot in Chicago, including A League of Their Own, Mission Impossible, and Shameless. Michelle Obama, Bill Murray, Hillary Clinton, and Harrison Ford are just a few native Chicagoans. Here’s what to expect when living in Minneapolis MN vs Chicago IL.
Pros & Cons of Living in Minneapolis vs Chicago 
Minneapolis and Chicago are two vibrant, thriving cities and great cities to live in. Here are some of the major pros and cons of living in Minneapolis MN vs Chicago IL:
Living in Minneapolis Pros
- Job market – Minneapolis has a thriving job market and low unemployment.
- Parks - Minneapolis has over 200 parks, some of the best in the country.
- Cost of living - The relatively low cost of living in Minneapolis makes it an affordable city to live in. Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average.
- Outdoor recreation - Minneapolis offers a healthy lifestyle with access to a wide range of outdoor recreation. It also sees less crime and has a small town feel.
- Biking - Minneapolis is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S., with 98 miles of bike lanes, 16 miles of protected bikeways, and 101 miles of off-street bike trails.
- Vibrant arts scene - People absolutely love living in Minneapolis, which is famous for its vibrant arts scene. The Walker Art Center is one of the best contemporary art museums in the U.S., and the Guthrie Theater offers world-class theatrical productions.
- Professional sports – Minneapolis has teams in all the major professional sports leagues.
Living in Minneapolis Cons
- Long, cold winters – Minneapolis winters are harsh, bitterly cold, and last a long time.
- High taxes - Minnesota has the 5th-highest tax rates in the country. Additionally, high property taxes add to the financial burden, making it an expensive city to live in.
- Traffic - Minneapolis has its share of traffic and congestion.
- Seasonal allergies – Minneapolis is full of lush, diverse plant life, but that can be challenging for people with seasonal allergies.
- Public transportation – Minneapolis has limited options when it comes to public transportation. The Metro Transit system falls short of covering the metropolitan area.
- Tornadoes and severe storms - Minnesota is in “Tornado Alley,” which means it is susceptible to tornadoes and violent storms that can cause significant damage.
- Crime – The Minneapolis crime rate is 179% above the national average.
Living in Chicago Pros
- Exceptional arts and culture scene – Chicago is home to the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Theatre. The city is well known for its music scene and younger population.
- Sports – Chicago is home to teams in all the major professional sports leagues.
- Entertainment options – Chicago’s vibrant social life and nightlife offer iconic blues clubs, clubs, and lounges.
- World-class cuisine - Chicago is well known for world-class cuisine and dining options, from its famous deep-dish pizza to farm-to-table restaurants, and everything in between.
- Outdoor spaces - Chicago boasts 8 miles of public beaches, close to 600 parks, and 26 miles of lakefront trails.
- Public transportation - Chicago has an excellent public transit system. The “L” train and bus system, bike-sharing options, and water taxis, offer affordable transportation options to all parts of the city.
- Diversity - Chicago is one of the most racially diverse large cities in the U.S. About 52% of the population identifies as white and 29% as black.
- World-class healthcare - Chicago offers some of the best healthcare facilities in the country. Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Chicago Medical Center are top-ranked in the country.
Living in Chicago Cons
- High sales tax - Chicago has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country at 10.25%. These high sales taxes contribute significantly to the overall cost of living in the city, adding to the financial burden on residents.
- Harsh winters - Chicago winters see temperatures drop below freezing regularly from December to February, with blizzards, snow, ice, and a strong wind chill on top of it.
- Traffic – Chicago’s highways and major thoroughfares often become jammed, especially during rush hour, adding to your commute time.
- Pollution - The Chicago metropolitan area is consistently ranked among the worst in the country for pollution.
- Crime - Chicago’s crime rate is 58% higher than the national average. As with many large cities, though, crime is generally restricted to a few areas that you can avoid. There are lots of safe neighborhoods in Chicago.
- High cost of living – The cost of living in Chicago is 14% higher than the national average. The cost of housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries are all above the national average.
Comparisons Between Minneapolis and Chicago
Population
- Minneapolis - 429,954
- Chicago - 2,746,388
Demographics
- Minneapolis:
- White 62.7% (White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, 60.0%)
- Black or African American alone, 18.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 1.2%
- Asian alone, 5.2%
- Two or more races, 7.8%
- Hispanic or Latino, 9.9%
- Chicago:
- White 42.2% (White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, 32.7%)
- Black or African American alone, 28.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 0.7%
- Asian alone, 7.0%
- Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone, 0.1%
- Two or more races, 9.7%
- Hispanic or Latino, 29.0%
Cost of Living and Housing Costs
The table below shows the income a family of 4 needs in Minneapolis compared to Chicago to maintain an adequate standard of living, using the EPI Family Budget Calculator.
- Minneapolis:
- Housing - $1,410
- Food - $1,161
- Child care - $2,285
- Transportation - $1,526
- Health care - $1,170
- Other necessities - $910
- Taxes - $1,474
- Monthly total - $9,936
- Annual total - $119,229
- Chicago
- Housing - $1,440
- Food - $1,089
- Child care - $1,771
- Transportation - $1,390
- Health care - $1,200
- Other necessities - $896
- Taxes - $1,286
- Monthly total - $9,072
- Annual total - $108,865
Crime Rates
Minneapolis has much higher crime rates than Chicago. The overall crime in Minneapolis was 6,488per 100,000 in 2020 compared to 3,673 per 100,000 in Chicago. Violent crime was 1,226 per 100,000 in Minneapolis and 987 per 100,000 in Chicago. Though Minneapolis’ crime is higher than it was before the pandemic, in the last year, gun violence and violent crimes have gone down, while car jackings have been cut in half. Minneapolis is getting safer according to new statistics.
- Minneapolis:
- Total crime – 179% above the national average
- Violent crime – 336% above the national average
- Property crime – 169% above the national average
- Chicago:
- Total crime – 58% higher than the national average
- Violent crime – 262% above the national average
- Property crime – 60% above the national average
Things to Do/Eat/Nightlife and Outdoor Recreation
Both Downtown Chicago and Downtown Minneapolis cities have plenty of fun and interesting things to see and do. Here are some of the top attractions to explore in Minneapolis vs Chicago:
Climate/Weather
Living in Minneapolis MN vs Chicago IL has many differences, but their weather is not one of them. Weather is fairly consistent with four seasons in both areas.
- Minneapolis – Minneapolis’ climate has warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures range from the low 80s to the low 60s. Average highs in the winter are in the low 20s. The best time to visit Minneapolis is during the Fall, before it gets too cold. September through November are beautiful in Minneapolis.
- Chicago – Chicago has extremely cold and windy winters and hot and humid summers. In the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing for weeks at a time. Summer temperatures typically range from the mid-70s to low 80s with high humidity. The best time to visit Chicago is from mid-June to mid-September unless you like snow, because in winter, Chicago gets 37 inches of snow on average.
Traffic and Public Transportation
- Minneapolis – Metro Transit operates two light rail lines, five bus rapid transit lines, and one commuter rail line in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The fleet of 736 buses serves 10,745 bus stops. The Metro Transit system provides about 45 million rides per year. Metro Transit’s Northstar Commuter rail provides service from Big Lake, MN to downtown Minneapolis.
- Chicago – The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates an extensive network of buses and rapid transit systems, including the Chicago-L elevated trains throughout the big city. The CTA operates 24 hours a day and averages 1.7 million rides on buses and trains per day. The rail system is the 4th busiest in the nation. The Amtrak hub at Union Station is one of the busiest in the U.S., offering long-distance and commuter rail services throughout the country.
Jobs and the Economy
Minneapolis employs 244,212 workers. Public schools in the Twin Cities and its suburbs play a significant role in the local economy and job market. The top industries in Minneapolis are healthcare, manufacturing, retail trade, accommodation and food services, education, and professional and scientific services. The median household income in Minneapolis is $76,332.
Chicago employs 1,380,000 workers. Public schools in Chicago and its surrounding neighborhoods also impact the local economy and job market. The largest industries in Chicago are healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, transportation, and retail. Chicago’s median household income is $71,673.
Professional Sports Teams 
- Minneapolis:
- Minnesota United FC (MLS)
- Minnesota Twins (MLB)
- Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
- Minnesota Wild (NHL)
- Chicago:
- Carolina Bears (NFL)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Chicago to Minneapolis Distance
The distance between Minneapolis and Chicago is about 409 miles and the trip takes about 6.5 hours driving south along I-94 and I-90.
No matter which great city you are looking at, Chicago and Minneapolis compare, and each has its own pros and cons. So, which is the better city? That depends on what you're looking for while living in Minneapolis MN vs Chicago IL! If you're moving from or to one of these two cities, you need top-rated Minneapolis movers to make it go smoothly! Give The Move Crew a call at 612-361-6787 to get started on a free quote!
