Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Minneapolis, MN
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Minneapolis leads 14 of 23 categories
Minneapolis
Minnesota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Homes cost $250k less ($328,700 vs $578,900)
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (5.8%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Households earn $9,144 more per year on average
11% cheaper overall cost of living than South Gate
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
South Gate, CA
Pros
55% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 22°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (3598.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Income
$9,144
$76,332 vs $67,188/yr
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$250k less
$328,700 vs $578,900
Minneapolis
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.9% unemployment
South Gate
Violent Crime
55% lower
525.6 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | South Gate, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,267 ✓ Lower | $1,400⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,332 ✓ Higher | $67,188 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 281⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 305⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 245⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (117) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 53.5% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Minneapolis Public School District | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 21.7°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.1°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 33.3" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 40.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 426,877 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 19.1% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis's cost of living index is 104.5 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Minneapolis leads 14 of 23 categories. Minneapolis wins 14 and South Gate 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 Minneapolis to South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($328,700 vs $578,900 median home), income ($76,332 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Minneapolis, MN and South Gate, CA are about 1,523 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.