Houston
Texas
Pop. 2,296,253
VS
Minneapolis
Minnesota
Pop. 426,877

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
66
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Houston wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Houston wins 2–1 overall (71/100)
💰 Houston is more affordable
💼 Minneapolis has lower unemployment
🛡️ Minneapolis has fewer disasters

📋 Houston vs Minneapolis — The Verdict

Houston scores 71.2/100 compared to Minneapolis's 66.5/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Houston has a clear edge with home prices 29% lower. For safety-conscious movers, Minneapolis has a notably lower disaster history with 13 fewer declarations in 20 years. Houston may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Houston are 29% lower — a difference of $93,700 in median home value.
💵
Households in Minneapolis earn $15,892 more per year (26% higher median income).
🛡️
Minneapolis has experienced 13 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Houston vs Minneapolis: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
65
Median Home Value
$235,000
$328,700
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$1,267
Median Income
$60,440
$76,332
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Houston offers home prices 29% lower than Minneapolis, translating to $93,700 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Houston vs Minneapolis: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.1%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Houston vs Minneapolis: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Houston vs Minneapolis: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
12
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Houston vs Minneapolis: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Houston vs Minneapolis: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
21
8
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
Low
Minneapolis has a markedly lower disaster history — 13 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Houston to Minneapolis: Common Questions

Is Houston or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?
Houston is more affordable overall. Home prices are $93,700 lower in Houston. Monthly rent is $1,235 in Houston vs $1,267 in Minneapolis.
Does Houston or Minneapolis have better weather?
Minneapolis scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Houston or Minneapolis better for finding a job?
Minneapolis currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 4.1% in Minneapolis. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $76,332 in Minneapolis.
Which city is safer — Houston or Minneapolis?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Minneapolis is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 8 in Minneapolis. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Minneapolis.
Should I move from Houston to Minneapolis?
Based on our data, Houston scores 71.2/100 vs Minneapolis's 66.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Houston is more affordable, while Minneapolis has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.