Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Minneapolis, MN
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 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
Richmond
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
115,619
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Homes cost $296k less ($328,700 vs $624,800)
Rent averages $586/mo less ($1,267 vs $1,853)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.8%)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
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
Median income trails Richmond by $10,286/yr
Snowy winters — about 40" of snow per year
Richmond, CA
Pros
20% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 22°F
Households earn $10,286 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 83°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$296k less
$328,700 vs $624,800
Minneapolis
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Minneapolis
Summer Heat
12.3°F warmer
July avg high 83.1°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$10,286
$86,618 vs $76,332/yr
Richmond
Violent Crime
20% lower
923.1 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,267 ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,332 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 11.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 281⚠ High | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 305⚠ High | 243⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 245⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 53.5% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Minneapolis Public School District | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 21.7°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.1°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.3" | 24.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 40.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 426,877 ✓ Larger | 115,619 |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.1% | 21.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Minneapolis leads 12 of 23 categories. Minneapolis wins 12 and Richmond 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,700 vs $624,800 median home), income ($76,332 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Minneapolis, MN and Richmond, CA are about 1,573 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.