Denver, CO vs Minneapolis, MN
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | DenverDenver, CO | MinneapolisMinneapolis, MN | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Good | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | High Risk | Same |
| Education | Same | ||
| Quality of Life | Good | Good | Same |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
556 mi separates Denver, CO from the nearest international border, while Minneapolis, MN sits 243 mi away, a 2.3× difference that places Denver in the 77th percentile and Minneapolis in the 30th. In 2023 Census figures, the cost of living index runs 48% higher in Denver at 175 versus 118 in Minneapolis, with median home values of $586,700 and $345,600 respectively. The comfortable income for a family of 4 in Denver is $167,559, compared to $98,702 in Minneapolis, and for a single person the figures are $113,986 and $67,144, each 70% higher in Denver.
Unemployment in Denver is 4.3% against Minneapolis’s 2.9%, a 1.4-point gap that puts Denver in the 78th percentile and Minneapolis in the 18th. The air quality index reads 55 in Denver versus 42 in Minneapolis, a 31% difference, with Denver in the 93rd percentile and Minneapolis in the 46th. Traffic deaths per 100,000 people are 17 in Denver and 7 in Minneapolis, a 2.4× higher rate for Denver, which sits in the 51st percentile compared to Minneapolis’s 13th. State and local tax burden is 12.1% in Minneapolis versus 9.7% in Denver, a 2.4-point difference that places Minneapolis in the 79th percentile and Denver in the 40th.
Violent crime per 100,000 people is 875 in Denver and 1,001 in Minneapolis, a 14% higher rate in Minneapolis, with both cities in the 97th and 98th percentiles respectively. Property crime runs 4,126 in Denver and 4,504 in Minneapolis, 9% higher in Minneapolis. Median household income is $91,681 in Denver versus $80,269 in Minneapolis, a 14% difference, while the average commute is 25.4 minutes in Denver and 22.5 minutes in Minneapolis. Population density is 7,905 per square mile in Minneapolis versus 4,663 in Denver, a 70% higher density in Minneapolis.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Denver, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 17586th pctl | 11861st pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Denver, CO 175; Minneapolis, MN 118; Denver is 48% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $586,70087th pctl | $345,60063rd pctl | Median home value: Denver, CO $586,700; Minneapolis, MN $345,600; Denver is 70% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,77083rd pctl | $1,32959th pctl | Median rent: Denver, CO $1,770; Minneapolis, MN $1,329; Denver is 33% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $91,68171st pctl | $80,26959th pctl | Median household income: Denver, CO $91,681; Minneapolis, MN $80,269; Denver is 14% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $113,98689th pctl | $67,14464th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Denver, CO $113,986; Minneapolis, MN $67,144; Denver is 70% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $167,55989th pctl | $98,70264th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Denver, CO $167,559; Minneapolis, MN $98,702; Denver is 70% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Affordable | Housing affordability: Denver, CO C-; Minneapolis, MN B+; Minneapolis is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Minneapolis needs about
$50,600
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 175 vs 118). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Denver, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 4.3%78th pctl | 2.9%18th pctl | Unemployment: Denver, CO 4.3%; Minneapolis, MN 2.9%; Denver is 1.4 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | -0.6%11th pctl | +0.3%29th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Denver, CO -0.6%; Minneapolis, MN +0.3%; Minneapolis is 0.9 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $61,20288th pctl | $50,60578th pctl | Per-capita income: Denver, CO $61,202; Minneapolis, MN $50,605; Denver is 21% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 11.2%48th pctl | 16.4%71st pctl | Poverty rate: Denver, CO 11.2%; Minneapolis, MN 16.4%; Minneapolis is 5.2 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 25.4 min64th pctl | 22.5 min44th pctl | Average commute: Denver, CO 25.4 min; Minneapolis, MN 22.5 min; Denver is 3 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 24.4%90th pctl | 23.3%89th pctl | Work from home: Denver, CO 24.4%; Minneapolis, MN 23.3%; Denver is 1.1 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Strong | Job market: Denver, CO B-; Minneapolis, MN A-; Minneapolis is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Denver, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 87597th pctl | 1,00198th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Denver, CO 875; Minneapolis, MN 1,001; Minneapolis is 14% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 4,12698th pctl | 4,50499th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Denver, CO 4,126; Minneapolis, MN 4,504; Minneapolis is 9% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Denver, CO B+; Minneapolis, MN A+; Minneapolis is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Denver, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| ClimateClimate comfort | Dry | Dry | Climate comfort: Denver, CO A+; Minneapolis, MN A-; Denver is graded higher. |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Clean | Clean | Tap water: Denver, CO A-; Minneapolis, MN A+; Minneapolis is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Workable | Prime | Homesteading potential: Denver, CO B-; Minneapolis, MN A; Minneapolis is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
3 rows not shown: broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Denver, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Taxes: Denver, CO B-; Minneapolis, MN D; Denver is graded higher. |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | highState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | C+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | BState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | Net exporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Denver, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi0th pctl | 1 mi1st pctl | Nearest large city: Denver, CO 0 mi; Minneapolis, MN 1 mi; Minneapolis is higher (Denver: 0 mi). |
| Target proximity | Poor | Weak | Target proximity: Denver, CO F; Minneapolis, MN C+; Minneapolis is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 556 mi77th pctl | 243 mi30th pctl | Distance to international border: Denver, CO 556 mi; Minneapolis, MN 243 mi; Denver is 2.3 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 701 mi83rd pctl | 985 mi94th pctl | Distance to coastline: Denver, CO 701 mi; Minneapolis, MN 985 mi; Minneapolis is 41% higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Denver, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,73499th pctl | 426,84598th pctl | Population: Denver, CO 713,734; Minneapolis, MN 426,845; Denver is 67% larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 4,66390th pctl | 7,90596th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Denver, CO 4,663; Minneapolis, MN 7,905; Minneapolis is 70% higher. |
| Median age | 35.227th pctl | 3315th pctl | Median age: Denver, CO 35.2; Minneapolis, MN 33; Denver is 2.2 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 55.6%85th pctl | 54.5%84th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Denver, CO 55.6%; Minneapolis, MN 54.5%; Denver is 1.1 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.112th pctl | 2.215th pctl | About the same |
More about Denver's residents · Minneapolis's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
| Measure | DenverDenver, CO | MinneapolisMinneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Cook PVI | D+29 | D+32 |
| 2024 presidential | D +56.0 pts | D +61.0 pts |
Full politics data: Denver · Minneapolis
Moving between Denver and Minneapolis
- Median rent: $1,770 in Denver, $1,329 in Minneapolis
- Median home value: $586,700 in Denver, $345,600 in Minneapolis
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 175 in Denver, 118 in Minneapolis
- Median household income: $91,681 in Denver, $80,269 in Minneapolis
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $167,559 in Denver, $98,702 in Minneapolis
- Unemployment: 4.3% in Denver, 2.9% in Minneapolis
- Average commute: 25.4 min in Denver, 22.5 min in Minneapolis
- Violent crime per 100k: 875 in Denver, 1,001 in Minneapolis
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More places like Denver and Minneapolis
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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