Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Fresno leads 13 of 22 categories
Fresno
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Minneapolis
Minnesota
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
37% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 22°F
Cons
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Minneapolis by $13,331/yr
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.8%)
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $13,331 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 98°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 40" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Violent Crime
37% lower
735.5 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Fresno
Summer Heat
14.6°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 83.1°F
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Income
$13,331
$76,332 vs $63,001/yr
Minneapolis
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $328,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 33.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 426,877 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fresno leads 13 of 22 categories. Fresno wins 13 and Minneapolis wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fresno to Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $328,700 median home), income ($63,001 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Minneapolis, MN are about 1,488 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.