Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Minneapolis, MN
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Minneapolis leads 12 of 23 categories
Minneapolis
Minnesota
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,332
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Homes cost $248k less ($328,700 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $597/mo less ($1,267 vs $1,864)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Renton by $15,960/yr
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
71% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Households earn $15,960 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 22°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 83°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (3313.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$248k less
$328,700 vs $576,800
Minneapolis
Summer Heat
5.9°F warmer
July avg high 83.1°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$15,960
$92,292 vs $76,332/yr
Renton
Violent Crime
71% lower
339.2 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Renton
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,267 ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,332 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 281⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 305⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 245⚠ High | 158⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 53.5% ✓ Higher | 36.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% ✓ Higher | 89.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Minneapolis Public School District | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 21.7°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.1°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.3" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 40.4" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 426,877 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 53.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.1% | 20.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Minneapolis leads 12 of 23 categories. Minneapolis wins 12 and Renton wins 11. 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 Minneapolis to Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,700 vs $576,800 median home), income ($76,332 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Minneapolis, MN and Renton, WA are about 1,386 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.