Minnesota’s Twin Cities Compared – Which One is Superior?

The Twin Cities are constantly lumped together. This probably won't come as a surprise to anyone reading this, but isn't it kind of annoying? I mean, we get it, they're similar in population and located right across the river from each other, but they're also two completely different cities.

In this article, we're going to explore some of the biggest contrasts of Minnesota's two largest cities.

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Population

If bigger is better in your book, then the nod has to go to Minneapolis. For the first few decades of their existence, Saint Paul held the edge in population. It wasn't until the 1890 census that Minneapolis took the lead and hasn't looked back since. Minneapolis has a current estimated population of 430,000, while Saint Paul has around 311,000 residents.

Atmosphere

Minneapolis has an energetic, fast-paced vibe, with an abundance of nightlife options and modern housing amenities.

In contrast, Saint Paul has a more laid back feel, with a stronger sense of neighborhood community. It has fewer options for nightlife but does have several beloved neighborhood bars and pubs. In terms of housing, Saint Paul has kept many of its historic homes.

Public Works

Minneapolis is considered to have better road maintenance, while Saint Paul is known for using patchwork street maintenance. Minneapolis clears the snow out of its alleys, while the city of Saint Paul does not.

When it comes to trash pickup, most sources show that Minneapolis is far and away better than Saint Paul for its garbage pickup services.

Overall Crime

Minneapolis has a significantly higher crime rate than Saint Paul. According to Reolink, in 2024, Minneapolis had a crime rate of 63.84 per 1,000 residents. By contrast, Saint Paul recorded a crime rate of 37.14 per 1,000 people.

When it comes to solving crimes, in 2024, the Minneapolis Police Department solved just 23.9% of nonfatal shootings. Meanwhile, the city of Saint Paul is solving 70% of its crimes and has seen a remarkable 70% drop in homicides in 2025 to date. 

Cost of Living

Minneapolis has a slightly higher median household income than Saint Paul at $80,269 compared to $73,055 respectively.

Meanwhile, Saint Paul has a lower cost of living when it comes to housing, while Minneapolis has the edge when it comes to renting an apartment.

Overall Economy

Minneapolis is the top spot for large businesses and fortune 500 companies, while Saint Paul (being the capital) is the go-to for government jobs. Saint Paul is considered better for job seekers, as its economy is growing at a faster rate than that of Minneapolis.

It should be noted that the broader Twin Cities metro is considered healthy, with good jobs and a low unemployment rate.

Who Comes Out On Top?

It's a close call, but for me, it's hard to go against Saint Paul. The city is lowering its crime rate, has a healthy economy, a laid back atmosphere and beautiful parks. Minneapolis has a lot going for it as well, but I'm going with the capital.