Minnesota might not be one of the top ten best states to retire, but that doesn’t matter. It still has some of the best places in the country to live out your golden years.
Some places in the Land of 10,000 Lakes are better than others for retirees, and we’re here to tell you where the best places to retire in Minnesota are.
To determine the best places to retire in Minnesota, we analyzed 85 cities with over 10,000 people. We looked at several factors, including crime, the population of residents in this demographic, affordable housing, rent, and how close the city is to an international airport.
We discovered that most of the North Star State’s best places to retire are close to major metropolises like Minneapolis and Rochester because there’s more to do in these bigger cities.
And a fun fact. All of the places on our list have at most 70,000 residents. If small, quaint cities with lots to do are your requirements, Minnesota’s best places in the top ten will not disappoint.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Minnesota For 2024
Where is the best place to retire in Minnesota for 2024? According to the most recent FBI and Census data, the best place to retire in Minnesota be Hibbing.
So, find yourself a diner, order that early bird special, and read on as we uncover the list of the best places to retire in Minnesota.
Why did Hibbing take the top spot? And where are Minneapolis and St. Paul?
For more Minnesota state reading:
- Best Places To Live In Minnesota
- Cheapest Places To Live In Minnesota
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Minnesota
- Best Places To Retire In America
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Minnesota For 2024
/10
Population: 16,167
Median Income: $52,881
Median Home Price: $142,670
Median Rent: $698
Distance to Closest Airport: 52 miles
More on Hibbing: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 10,411
Median Income: $56,744
Median Home Price: $155,351
Median Rent: $748
Distance to Closest Airport: 105 miles
More on Fairmont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 11,158
Median Income: $53,317
Median Home Price: $234,222
Median Rent: $946
Distance to Closest Airport: 68 miles
More on Grand Rapids: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 14,055
Median Income: $59,985
Median Home Price: $215,828
Median Rent: $883
Distance to Closest Airport: 72 miles
More on New Ulm: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 53,529
Median Income: $114,867
Median Home Price: $450,534
Median Rent: $1,673
Distance to Closest Airport: 12 miles
More on Minnetonka: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 26,400
Median Income: $78,295
Median Home Price: $269,150
Median Rent: $925
Distance to Closest Airport: 54 miles
More on Owatonna: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 18,434
Median Income: $56,347
Median Home Price: $145,782
Median Rent: $814
Distance to Closest Airport: 85 miles
More on Albert Lea: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 11,642
Median Income: $129,800
Median Home Price: $515,905
Median Rent: $1,268
Distance to Closest Airport: 4 miles
More on Mendota Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 13,647
Median Income: $60,532
Median Home Price: $221,674
Median Rent: $715
Distance to Closest Airport: 129 miles
More on Marshall: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 14,238
Median Income: $74,602
Median Home Price: $285,195
Median Rent: $886
Distance to Closest Airport: 62 miles
More on North Mankato: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In the North Star State for 2024
To create our ranking of the best places in Minnesota to retire, we used Saturday Night Science. We analyzed Census data to find all places in the North Star State — 904 cities and towns.
We then narrowed it down to places with at least 10,000 people that weren’t townships. This left us with 85 places from across the state.
For these 85, we looked at the following criteria taken from the Census, the FBI’s Crime Report, National Weather Service, and OpenFlights:
- Low cost of living as measured by rent
- Low crime
- Things to do (Museums, Colleges, and Libraries in town)
- Nice weather
- Distance to the closest international airport
- Other retirees (High median age)
We then ranked each of these places for each criterion from one to 85, with the lowest number being the best.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Hibbing, with the lowest average rank, was crowned the best of the best, a place for you to start your second career.
The report has been updated for 2024. This list reflects our tenth time ranking the best places to retire in Minnesota.
Summary: Maybe You’re Not Ready To Retire In Minnesota Yet…
So there you have it, the best place to retire in Minnesota goes to Hibbing.
The best places to retire in Minnesota are Hibbing, Fairmont, Grand Rapids, New Ulm, Minnetonka, Owatonna, Albert Lea, Mendota Heights, Marshall, and North Mankato.
If you’re not ready to hang up your office apparel yet, then these places might be up your alley:
- St. Cloud
- Rogers
- Sartell
For more Minnesota reading, check out:
Best Places To Retire In Minnesota
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Prices | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hibbing | 16,167 | $52,881 | $142,670 | $698 |
| 2 | Fairmont | 10,411 | $56,744 | $155,351 | $748 |
| 3 | Grand Rapids | 11,158 | $53,317 | $234,222 | $946 |
| 4 | New Ulm | 14,055 | $59,985 | $215,828 | $883 |
| 5 | Minnetonka | 53,529 | $114,867 | $450,534 | $1,673 |
| 6 | Owatonna | 26,400 | $78,295 | $269,150 | $925 |
| 7 | Albert Lea | 18,434 | $56,347 | $145,782 | $814 |
| 8 | Mendota Heights | 11,642 | $129,800 | $515,905 | $1,268 |
| 9 | Marshall | 13,647 | $60,532 | $221,674 | $715 |
| 10 | North Mankato | 14,238 | $74,602 | $285,195 | $886 |
