Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a Hennepin County city with a large population, countless professional sports teams, and many attractions, all at a low overall cost of living. If moving to Minneapolis is in your future, our complete guide covers all the benefits of living there!
Minneapolis (officially the City of Minneapolis) is famous for its attractions, excursions, and beautiful lakes and parks. Minneapolis has three notable nicknames: The City of Lakes, Mill City, and Twin Cities (with nearby St. Paul). Locals also affectionately call it the Mini Apple.
First inhabited by Native Americans and then home to French explorers, Minneapolis has a unique history. It was founded by Franklin Steele and John H. Stevens and incorporated in 1867. Minneapolis has since developed into a wonderful place to live! Nearly half a million people call it home as Minneapolis offers the energy of a much larger metro thanks to its skyline-anchored downtown. Minneapolis also ranks among the world's happiest cities.
Yes, Minneapolis is a good place to live for people who want big city amenities, a strong job market, and many lakes and parks at almost every turn. Minneapolis is also a great choice for people who love winter. The City of Lakes also offers affordability with one of the country’s best park systems and a nationally recognized food and arts scene.
But keep in mind that, like any major city, living in Minneapolis has its trade-offs as well, such as cold, dark winters and a high property crime rate. Nevertheless, the pros of moving to Minneapolis MN outweighs the cons for most newcomers, especially young professionals and families settling into a new city.
Let’s have a closer look at the pros and cons of living in Minneapolis:
| Pros of Living in Minneapolis | Cons of Living in Minneapolis |
| Affordable city for a major metro with housing costs and rent being below the national average | Long winters with limited daylight |
| Exceptional variety of parks and green spaces | Property crime, especially auto theft and car break-ins, is concentrated in a few areas |
| Strong and diverse job market with abundant job opportunities at 15+ Fortune 500 headquarters | Higher state income and property taxes than many states |
| Highly bike-friendly | |
| Lakes, the Mississippi River, and a celebrated summer festival season attract tourists |
Minneapolis is the county seat of Hennepin County in Minnesota and the most populous city in the state. If you’re looking at a map of the US, you’ll find Minneapolis in southeastern Minnesota; the city of Minneapolis nearly borders Wisconsin. The nearest large city to Minneapolis is St. Paul, it’s 11.9 miles from Minneapolis to St. Paul. The city is part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area.
The population in Minneapolis is 430,324 (per the 2025 Census estimate). This figure is a 12.48% increase since 2010. The Minneapolis metro population is 3,690,261. The city has 54.00 square miles of land and a population density of 7,968 people per square mile. Such a massive population makes Minneapolis the largest city in Minnesota and the core of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area, with roughly 3.7 million people.
Minneapolis is a diverse city. The racial and ethnic composition is 56.2% White, 21.4% Black, 9.5% Hispanic, 6.7% two or more races, 4.9% Asian, 0.6% Native, and 0.7% other races. The city of Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali-American community in the United States, which is primarily concentrated in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. There are also many significant Hmong, Latino, and Black communities that shape the city’s food, culture, and small-business scene.
Source: Census Reporter
Minneapolis has produced a long list of famous people. Here are some of the most recognizable names:
While living in Minneapolis, you’ll find getting around easy! Interstate 494 runs east to west through Minneapolis, and I-35 Bus runs North and South; Minneapolis also has easy access to I-335. You can use this highway to cross Northeast Minneapolis from I-35W. WalletHub ranked Minneapolis in the top 25 US cities to drive in.
Minneapolis has an array of biking trails, and almost all of its roads are bike-friendly. The Twin Cities was ranked the most bikeable city in the U.S. Many neighborhoods are designed so that grocery stores, parks, and cafés sit within walking distance of home.
The Metro Transit provides public bus and train transportation to Minneapolis. The Northstar is the city’s commuter rail. Northstate operates during rush hours and makes two round trips per weekday–it does not operate during the weekends. The Metro Transit is affordable; the most you will pay for a ride is $2.50.
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The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) serves the Twin Cities area with dependable air transportation services. Roughly 31.2 million passengers fly through this airport annually.
The average cost of living in Minneapolis is about 8% below the national average! It simply means that Minneapolis is an affordable city to live in. More specifically, Minneapolis has a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 92, making it 8% more affordable than the average US city.
Groceries are about 2% more expensive here, whereas healthcare is 25% more affordable. Housing in Minneapolis is 19% more affordable than the average US city. You will pay 8.8% more for transportation when living in Minneapolis.
The Economic Policy Institute says a household income of $134,419 is enough to live comfortably in the Minneapolis/St. Paul/Bloomington metro area for a family of two adults and two children.
The MIT Living Wage Calculator shows that the living wage in Minneapolis is $24.47 for a single adult, $40.26 for every two adults with no children, or $33.86 for a family of four with two adults working.
Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of living in Minneapolis MN:
Source: Numbeo
One key thing to know before moving to Minneapolis is that Minnesota’s taxes are higher than in many states. In 2026, Minneapolis raised its property-tax levy by about 8%. Since downtown commercial values have fallen for the fifth straight year, homeowners now have to bear 56% of the city’s tax base.
Moreover, many homeowners are seeing double-digit increases on their actual bills even though the headline levy rose less.
Overall, Minnesota’s state income tax ranges from 5.35% to 9.85%, and the Minneapolis sales tax rate is 9.03%. You can estimate your bill with the city’s property tax estimator.
Is Minneapolis affordable? Yes, despite the higher taxes, the Twin Cities are an affordable place to call home!
Another major factor when considering moving to Minneapolis is the real estate market. Whether you're renting or buying, you should consider the median home prices and rent.
Minneapolis is safer than its reputation suggests. The question of whether Minneapolis is safe or not is the single most common question among newcomers and people interested in moving to Minneapolis.
The FBI’s crime rate for Minneapolis shows that the crime rate in Minneapolis is 5,713 per 100k people, which is 137.8% higher than the state and 143.5% higher than the country. This is calculated on the basis of the crime rate in Minnesota, which is 2,402 per 100k people, and the crime rate in the US, which is 2,346 per 100k people.
It is important to note that most US cities saw a spike in violent crimes from 2020 to 2022. The good thing is that the trend has reversed sharply as Minneapolis had 64 homicides in 2025, down from 76 in 2024, with robberies down about 50% and carjackings down roughly 73% from their 2021 peak.
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The high crime rate of Minneapolis is primarily due to property crimes. They account for an outsized share of the state’s auto thefts and have seen car break-in sprees in neighborhoods like Northeast, Uptown, and Loring Park.
Additional Minneapolis crime rate statistics:
That puts Minneapolis's violent crime rate 315.5% higher than the Minnesota state average and 197.7% higher than the national average.
Yes. Downtown Minneapolis has seen violent crime fall in line with the citywide trend. There are many big events like concerts, Twins and Vikings games, and festivals that regularly draw large crowds. Overall, it is recommended that you always stay aware at night, as in any downtown.
Southwest Minneapolis (Linden Hills, Fulton) and the Chain of Lakes neighborhoods are generally considered the safest parts of Minneapolis with a lower crime rate.
The Minneapolis Police Department has nearly 1,000 (833) police officers keeping its citizens as safe as possible.
Minneapolis real estate remains affordable for a major metro. According to Redfin, Minneapolis has a median sale price of about $354,950, which is up roughly 6% year over year. The market is competitive, with homes selling in roughly 30 days and often receiving multiple offers.
Minneapolis rentals are also affordable! According to RentCafe, the average rent in Minneapolis is $1,683 monthly for a 779-square-foot rental. The most affordable Minneapolis neighborhood to rent in is Stevens Square - Loring Heights ($1,036/month), and the most expensive is Cedar - Isles - Dean ($2,559/month).
Minneapolis has 83 official neighborhoods, along with a ring of popular suburbs. Therefore, where you land shapes your whole experience of living in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis boasts lots of great places to live, there are 83 neighborhoods and 70 neighborhood organizations in the City of Lakes! Here are the best neighborhoods in Minneapolis MN!
Perfectly positioned between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska Lake sits Linden Hills, one of the top neighborhoods in Minneapolis! Linden Hills is a notable neighborhood known for its tight-knit community and safe streets. People moving to Minneapolis, MN, are flocking to Linden Hills for many reasons.
The neighborhood hosts countless monthly events, has its own museum, and offers walking, running, and biking trails. Active individuals love this Minneapolis neighborhood! Linden Hills even has its own restaurants, shops, cafes, and farmers market.
Lake Harriet Bandshell Park and Como-Harriet Streetcar Line are notable attractions in the neighborhood, and Southwest High School is a nearby high school. Linden Hills is somewhat pricey, with an average home price of $592,500.
Northeast Minneapolis is an up-and-coming area of Minneapolis that’s located along the Mississippi River. You’ll find plenty of things to do in the urban neighborhood. The Northend is undoubtedly for the adventurous type who isn’t scared to try new things! The Northeast neighborhood is packed with breweries, art studios, and live music venues. It draws young professionals from across the metro.
While Northeast Minneapolis will likely be a very expensive place to live in a few years, home prices are now affordable; the average home price here is $350,000. Many homes are in good shape, but few are new construction; condos are common in this area.
Enjoy the cobblestone streets and newly paved roads amid your stroll along the bustling sidewalks. Northeast Minneapolis is one of the best Minneapolis neighborhoods for many reasons—we suggest relocating here before everyone else does!
Uptown is located near Linden Hills, meaning it's a bit more secluded than living on the Northeast side of town, but you’re still close to all of the amenities the City of Lakes offers. You’re positioned just off the Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska, which provide a lovely backdrop for many uptown homes, apartments, and condos.
Other than Linden Hills, Northeast, and Uptown, new residents can also look at the North Loop (trendy converted-warehouse district downtown, walkable, higher rents) and Loring Park (green, central, near the Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden) and the West Bank. Families living in Minneapolis also find southwest neighborhoods near the Chain of Lakes to be their favorites for extensive schools and park access.
Many families moving to Minneapolis choose the suburbs for schools and space. Some of the best suburbs of Minneapolis are:
While not as congested, there are tons of great things to do in Uptown Minneapolis: Bryant Square Park and Lake of the Isles Park are both popular options.
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Aside from its proximity to great schools (like Kenwood Elementary School and Anthony Middle School), Uptown is also lined with lively pubs, tasty restaurants, and beautiful parks and attractions. This is surely one of the best and safest neighborhoods in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis has a Koppen climate classification of hot-summer humid continental without dry season (or Dfa.) The weather in Minneapolis varies drastically from season to season—temperatures can range from -11°F to above 92°F. July is the warmest month of the year, with an average high of 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and January is the coldest month, with an average low of 9 degrees Fahrenheit. You can expect humid summers balanced by deeply cold weather from December through February.
The Minneapolis annual snowfall is 52.4 inches, and the average annual rainfall is 31.9 inches. Snowy winters are part of the local identity, and when living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you can expect 198 sunny days per year and an average daily UV index of 3.1.
The best time of the year to visit Minneapolis is from mid-June to early September—this way, you can enjoy all the warm weather activities before the freezing temperatures and snowy weather take over!
The cold gets the headlines, but new residents are more often caught off guard by the darkness. In midwinter, the sun sets around 4:30 p.m., and November through January deliver only about 60% of summer’s daylight hours.
Moreover, Minnesota is one of the states most prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects an estimated 5–10% of residents. It is ideal to plan ahead for the dark months.
Locals swear by a simple winter toolkit, including a 10,000-lux light box used in the morning, vitamin D, getting outside even briefly on bright days, and scheduling regular social time to fight the urge to hibernate.
On the flip side, Minneapolis leans into winter with skyways, pond hockey, and festivals. There is a packed slate of winter activities like ice skating at the Wells Fargo WinterSkate, cross-country skiing in the regional parks, and ice fishing on the metro's frozen lakes. Locals also wait out the cold for the spectacular summer that follows.
The Midwest is known for having unique food combinations, and Minneapolis is no exception. A few interesting foods Minneapolis is famous for are Juicy Lucy, Tater Tot Hotdish, and Lefse, but you will find an assortment of unique dishes from various cultures. Here are the best restaurants in Minneapolis!
The News Room is a notable downtown Minneapolis restaurant known for its delicious cheese curds, jambalaya, and tortellini pasta. The New Rooms is certainly one of the top restaurants in Minneapolis.
990 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403, (612) 343-0073
Stanley’s is one of the most popular Northeast Minneapolis restaurants. This casual dining spot boasts optimal ambiance, great food, and tasty brews. Beloved menu items are their brisket, grilled cheese, and jalapeño poppers. Stanley's is kid- and dog-friendly!
2500 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418, (612) 788-2529
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If you’re looking for one of the best Minneapolis restaurants, The Monte Carlo is where to dine. This 1906-themed restaurant has a unique vibe that’s incomparable to other nearby joints. Enjoy their famous burger, filet mignon, or wings—all are highly reviewed and loved by many.
219 N 3rd Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, (612) 333-5900
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If you’re looking for fun things to do in Minneapolis, we have a refined list below! Here’s everything you can check out when you’re looking for what to do in Minneapolis!
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After moving to Minneapolis, MN, you will discover the city hosts many professional sports teams in various industries. The Twin Cities have an NFL team (Minnesota Vikings), an MLB team (Minnesota Twins), an NBA team ( Minnesota Timberwolves), a WNBA team (Minnesota Lynx), and even an NHL team (Minnesota Wild).
New rankings claim Minneapolis is a top-ten NFL city thanks to the Vikings’ stadium's proximity to hundreds of bars and hotels.
The unemployment rate here is 1.2% below the US average, and Minneapolis has a ten-year projected growth of 36.7%.
The City of Minneapolis hosts 31 publicly traded companies, and according to the Greater MSP’s economic website, the leading industries are medical technology innovation, commercialization, and manufacturing. Minneapolis was ranked in the top ten in the nation for STEM jobs.
There are 15 Fortune 500 companies in Minneapolis, including Land O’Lakes, General Mills, and Ecolab. The major employers of people living in Minneapolis, MN, are United Health Group, Target, and CHS. The University of Minnesota is also a large employer of residents living in Minneapolis and surrounding cities. The city of Minneapolis (jobs) employs thousands of residents within the city and surrounding areas. Regardless of your industry, you’ll have thousands of Minneapolis jobs to choose from.
Before moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, you should note that people living here earn a great living. The average hourly rate is $23.68, and the Minneapolis median household income: $77,732.
After relocating to Minneapolis, you’ll find the city boasts great healthcare options.
Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital is ranked #2 in Minnesota and #1 in its metro area; it’s high-performing in two adult specialties and 13 procedures and conditions. M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center is nationally ranked in two adult specialties and two children's specialties; it’s high-performing in one adult specialty and nine procedures and conditions.
People living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are served by the Minneapolis Public School District. The district is large, containing 97 schools and over 30,000 students. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1, and 98.8% of teachers working in Minneapolis public schools are certified.
There are many great Minneapolis public schools that your K-12 grade child will have access to.
Best Minneapolis elementary schools, according to U.S. News:
U.S. News says these are the best Minneapolis middle schools:
Twin City has great high schools! Here are the best high schools in Minneapolis:
Your child will have access to a top-rated education when living in Minneapolis. There are 15 Hennepin County Library branches in the city limits. Many people living in Minneapolis use the resources at the Minneapolis Central Library, the largest and most notable.
If college is the next step for you or your child, the University of St. Thomas and Metropolitan State University are great colleges located in Minneapolis.
Various companies provide utilities for the City of Minneapolis residents. CenterPoint Energy, Xcel Energy, and Minnesota Energy Resources are just a few of your options. The City of Minneapolis will provide you with water, sewer, garbage, and recycling.
Useful utility setup information:
After moving to Minneapolis, you will have to change your address. To do so, call Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services at (651) 297-2126; you must provide your full name, date of birth, social security number, previous and current residential addresses, and phone number to change your information successfully. You can also visit your local DMV office and do it in person.
Minneapolis is located in the state of Minnesota in the United States. It is the largest city in Minnesota and part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area alongside Saint Paul.
Yes, Minneapolis is the largest city in the state of Minnesota. Minneapolis is known for its lakes, parks, arts scene, and strong economy in the Upper Midwest.
Minneapolis is located in the Upper Midwest region of the United States in southeastern Minnesota. It sits along the Mississippi River and is northwest of Chicago and west of Milwaukee.
Minneapolis is approximately 400 miles (644 km) from Chicago by road. It means driving between the two cities usually takes about 6 to 7 hours, while direct flights take around 1.5 hours.
Minneapolis is known as the City of Lakes. It is famous for its Chain of Lakes and park system, including the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Falls, a top-tier bike network, Prince and a storied music scene, the Mall of America (in neighboring Bloomington), and signature foods like the Juicy Lucy.
Minneapolis food is famous for the Juicy Lucy, which is a cheese-stuffed burger that local institutions Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club both claim to have invented. Other popular food items are Tater Tot Hotdish and Scandinavian lefse. Moreover, the modern food scene goes far beyond comfort food. The Twin Cities are quite popular at the James Beard Awards. Locals as well as tourists get to enjoy the city’s food halls and a strong craft-brewery scene.
Yes. Recreational cannabis has been legal in Minnesota for adults 21+ since August 2023.
It can take some effort to make friends in Minneapolis. “Minnesota Nice” is a phenomenon among locals who are polite and friendly, but many new residents take time to form close friendships. There’s also a common local joke about how “Minnesotans will give you directions to anywhere but their house.” The key thing is to join activity-based groups like rec sports, run clubs, volunteering, and participate in newcomer mixers, which the region actively runs to help new residents connect with each other.
As you can see, living in Minneapolis is great! While the city has its pros and cons, its attractive attributes are hard to pass up. The cost of living is low, the city is lively, and the safe neighborhoods are abundant. Before moving to Minneapolis, you’ll want the top Twin City movers on your side. Contact The Move Crew at (612) 361-6787 for your relocation needs.
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