Is Minnesota or Washington a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Minnesota ranks higher overall. Minnesota is #6 and Washington is #22 out of 50 states. Minnesota wins 7 of 11 categories, while Washington wins 4.

How does Minnesota compare to Washington in cost of living?

Minnesota has a cost of living index of 98, while Washington's is 109 (100 = national average). Minnesota is more affordable.

Which state is safer, Minnesota or Washington?

Minnesota has 256 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 372 in Washington. Minnesota has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in Minnesota vs Washington?

Minnesota's median household income is $85,551, compared to $90,325 in Washington.

Minnesota vs Washington: Side-by-Side (2026)

Minnesota

#6·Midwest

76.7Composite Score

VSMinnesota leads

Washington

#22·West

61.4Composite Score

7MN wins

4WA wins

Category Overlay

MinnesotaWashington

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMN +16.7

63.6

46.9

🛡️ SafetyMN +22.4

64.7

42.3

🏥 HealthMN +2.0

89.8

87.8

🎓 EducationMN +30.7

87.8

57.1

💼 Fiscal HealthWA +5.1

59.2

64.3

📈 GrowthMN +2.9

42.0

39.1

🏠 AffordabilityMN +26.6

62.9

36.3

🌿 EnvironmentWA +22.1

51.0

73.1

🏞️ Outdoor AccessWA +4.7

30.7

35.4

🚇 TransportationWA +2.9

61.1

64.0

🎭 LivabilityMN +5.6

44.6

39.0

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	Minnesota	Washington	Winner
Population	5,737,915	7,812,880	WA
Median Income	$85,551	$90,325	WA
Unemployment	3.4%	4.9%	MN
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	256	372	MN
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	98	109	MN
HS Graduation Rate	84%	82%	MN
Life Expectancy	79.8 yr	79.2 yr	MN
Pop Growth	+0.6%	+1%	WA

Minnesota vs Washington: How Do They Compare?

Minnesota ranks #6 overall with a composite score of 76.7, earning a A grade. Washington sits at #22 with 61.4 and a B grade. Minnesota has the edge overall, winning 7 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, Minnesota has 3.4% unemployment and a $85,551 median income, while Washington reports 4.9% unemployment and $90,325 median income.

For safety, Minnesota's violent crime rate is 256 per 100K compared to 372 in Washington. Cost of living favors Minnesota with an index of 98 vs 109.

Explore These States

Minnesota Full Profile76.7 Washington Full Profile61.4 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023 📎America's Health Rankings, 2025 📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024 📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025 📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025 📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025 📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025 📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024 📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025 📎National Park Service API, 2024 📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023 📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024 📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023 📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023 📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24 📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22 📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23 📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023 📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023 📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022 📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023 📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022 📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025 📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023