HEAD TO HEAD
Minneapolis vs Rochester
Rochester leads Minneapolis on 3 of 5 factors — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
Minneapolis, MN
wins 2 of 5 factors
Rochester, MN
wins 3 of 5 factors
Match scores, side by side
| Factor | Minneapolis | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable to buy | 81 | 84 ◆ |
| Affordable to rent | 68 | 69 ◆ |
| Climate comfort | 21 | 40 ◆ |
| Plenty of sunshine | 38 ◆ | 30 |
| Big-city amenities | 96 ◆ | 50 |
By the numbers
| Figure | Minneapolis | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $394K | $343K |
| Typical rent | $1,721/mo | $1,693/mo |
| Average temperature | 7°C | 9°C |
| Sunshine (solar energy) | 3.86 kWh/m²/day | 3.56 kWh/m²/day |
| Metro size rank (US) | #16 | #207 |
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.