HEAD TO HEAD
Brainerd vs Minneapolis
Minneapolis leads Brainerd on 3 of 5 factors — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
Brainerd, MN
wins 2 of 5 factors
Minneapolis, MN
wins 3 of 5 factors
Match scores, side by side
| Factor | Brainerd | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable to buy | 83 ◆ | 81 |
| Affordable to rent | 85 ◆ | 68 |
| Climate comfort | 10 | 21 ◆ |
| Plenty of sunshine | 36 | 38 ◆ |
| Big-city amenities | 1 | 96 ◆ |
By the numbers
| Figure | Brainerd | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $363K | $394K |
| Typical rent | $1,252/mo | $1,721/mo |
| Average temperature | 5.4°C | 7°C |
| Sunshine (solar) | 3.77 kWh/m²/day | 3.86 kWh/m²/day |
| Metro size rank | #408 | #16 |
Home & rent Zillow, May 2026 · climate & sunshine NASA POWER climatology. Scores are normalised 0–100 across all metros; higher is better. A research aid, not advice.