The 10 Best Places To Live In Minnesota For 2024


The best places to live in Minnesota for 2024 are Mendota Heights, Plymouth, and Albertville. Find out where your city or town ranks.

The best places to live in Minnesota have more to offer than just 10,000 Lakes.

They have high incomes, seasons, ice fishing, and hotdish.

If you live in or around Minneapolis, consider yourself lucky as you live in some of the best cities in the state. We used Saturday Night Science to analyze 145 cities in Minnesota on factors like home prices, crime rates, and commutes.

If you want to live where people take pride in their state, where health insurance is attainable, and quality homes abound, look no further than our top ten best places to live in Minnesota for 2024.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary


The 10 Best Places To Live In Minnesota For 2024

  1. Mendota Heights
  2. Plymouth
  3. Albertville
  4. Minnetonka
  5. Medina
  6. Chanhassen
  7. Edina
  8. Stillwater
  9. Lakeville
  10. Delano

What is the best place to live in Minnesota for 2024? The best place to live in Minnesota is Mendota Heights, according to Zillow, US Census, and FBI data.

Hennepin County produced a lot of our top ten winners. In true Minnesotan fashion, they scored off the charts in education, low crime, and great commute times.

For more reading, check out:

The 10 Best Places To Live In Minnesota For 2024

Best Places To Live In Minnesota Map

Mendota Heights, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Gabriel Vanslette | CC BY 3.0
Stat Mendota Heights Minnesota
Population 11,642 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 6
Median Home Value $515,905 $324,667
Median Income $129,800 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 0.9% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0198 0.0239

More on Mendota Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Mendota Heights, Minnesota, exists as a suburb of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, part of the largest metro complex in the state. That might make the city of 11,642 inhabitants seem like a typical urban expanse. Nope. While it does have many of the amenities of a major metropolitan area, it holds a meaningful connection to nature as well. It also serves as the number 1 top community in Minnesota.

Mendota Heights sits along two major rivers, the Mississippi and the Minnesota. This provides excellent scenic vistas and outdoor activities, whether its hiking on Pike Island or a trip to Fort Snelling State Park.

Still, living in the area gives you an exciting city experience as well. It’s 15 minutes to the center of Minneapolis. And, if you’re looking to see the wider world, it’s just over 5 minutes to the region’s busiest airport.

Given its location, Mendota Heights provides an excellent home base for commuters. As such, you’ll find many wealthy executives (and retired executives) living in the community. That leads to a relatively high median age of 47 and a hefty median income of $129,800.

All that cash floating around contributes to high home prices. The median home value sits at $515,905.

Plymouth, MN

Source: Public domain
Stat Plymouth Minnesota
Population 79,918 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $474,202 $324,667
Median Income $130,131 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 2.1% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0129 0.0239

More on Plymouth: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Plymouth is the largest Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb we’ll be covering, with a population of 79,918. We don’t hand out perfect 10/10 SnackAbility scores to just any place. Excellent public schools, low crime, and top-notch amenities all make Plymouth an enviable place to live. There’s so much to do at the French Regional Park that I won’t even try to list all the options, and Millenium Garden has been hailed as Plymouth’s best kept secret.

The poverty level and unemployment rate in Plymouth are both substantially lower than the national average, sitting at 3.6% and 2.1% respectively. Folks are doing pretty well for themselves in Plymouth, with a median household income of $130,131/year.

Albertville, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0
Stat Albertville Minnesota
Population 7,883 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 4
Median Home Value $357,047 $324,667
Median Income $107,316 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 0.0% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0077 0.0239

More on Albertville: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Albertville, located in Wright County, Minnesota, is a fantastic place to live in the state. With a population of 7,883, this city offers a low cost of living and a median home price of $357,047. This makes it one of the best places to live in Minnesota for those seeking affordable housing options.

The city is home to the Albertville Premium Outlets, which offers a wide range of shopping options. Additionally, Albertville has access to beautiful parks and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and picnicking.

Albertville’s location within the state is highly convenient. It is a Northwest suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the “Twin Cities.” This means you can enjoy the benefits of a quieter suburban lifestyle while still having easy access to a larger urban center’s cultural amenities and job opportunities.

Minnetonka, MN

Source: Public domain
Stat Minnetonka Minnesota
Population 53,529 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 7
Median Home Value $450,534 $324,667
Median Income $114,867 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 2.5% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0178 0.0239

More on Minnetonka: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Wrapping up our list of best places to live in Minnesota is Minnetonka, a Twin Cities suburb of 53,529. Minnetonka’s inclusion on this list means that more than half the best places to live in the state are located in Hennepin County. If you’re looking for a more mature community, Minnetonka might be your best bet, because the median age here is 42, the highest on this list. But there’s good news for young people as well because Minnetonka’s school district has a student expenditure about 55% higher than the statewide average. That’s part of the reason why we named Minnetonka one of the best cities for families in Minnesota. All the family-friendly activities available at Purgatory Park is another reason.

Now, at $114,867/year, Minnetonka has the lowest median household income on this list. Seeing as home prices are in the same ballpark as other cities listed here, it makes sense that we named Minnetonka one of the most expensive cities in Minnesota. Don’t let that put you off though; we think Minnetonka is worth every penny.

Medina, MN

Source: Flickr User Tony Webster | CC BY 2.0
Stat Medina Minnesota
Population 6,746 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 2
Median Home Value $797,015 $324,667
Median Income $202,153 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 1.8% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0055 0.0239

More on Medina: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

From the very big Plymouth, we turn to the very small Medina, a city of 6,746 and the 5th best place to live in Minnesota. Medina might not be so little for long, though, because it’s added nearly 33% to its population since 2010, making it one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota. And the newcomers seem to be well-educated because over 30% of Medina’s population has a master’s degree, PhD, or professional degree.

Folks don’t seem to have much trouble getting work in Medina, where the unemployment rate is under 2%. And they’re getting paid well for their time, seeing as Medina has the 2nd highest median household income in Minnesota at $202,153/year. However, you pretty much need to be earning the big bucks to make it in Medina, because the cost of living here is roughly 45% higher than the national average and the highest of anywhere we’re covering on this list.

Some other perks come along with Medina. Like having Baker Park Preserve in your neighborhood for everything from golf to camping to sledding. And you don’t have to worry about getting jumped here, because Medina has the 17th least amount of violent crime in the state. If you do get hurt though, it’s probably no big deal, since 98.1% of residents have health insurance.

Chanhassen, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0
Stat Chanhassen Minnesota
Population 25,868 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 8
Median Home Value $509,790 $324,667
Median Income $131,633 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 3.5% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0090 0.0239

More on Chanhassen: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Chanhassen is a Carver County city of 25,868 located about a half-hour outside of Minneapolis. A low poverty level and low unemployment rate create a solid economic foundation for the city. Not to mention that both the median household income and median home price in Chanhassen are in the top ten statewide at $131,633/year and $509,790 respectively. Chanhassen also has the 8th lowest adult high school dropout rate in Minnesota, so the motto “stay in school” is certainly felt deeply here.

It’s easy to stop and smell the flowers in a city as awesome as Chanhassen. Especially when you’ve got the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum right in your neighborhood.

Edina, MN

Source: Public domain
Stat Edina Minnesota
Population 53,037 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $598,918 $324,667
Median Income $125,506 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 3.7% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0208 0.0239

More on Edina: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

We begin our tour of Minnesota’s best of the best with Edina, a suburb of the Twin Cities. Education is taken very seriously in this city of 53,037, with multiple Blue Ribbon award-winning elementary schools and a 7.5/10 average rating on GreatSchools. The graduation rate in Edina is more than 10% higher than the statewide average, so it’s no surprise that the high school dropout rate is one of the lowest in Minnesota. It’s not just the kiddos who love to learn in Edina either; over 30% of adults have at least a master’s degree.

Edina is also the most densely populated city on this list, so you know you’ll never be far from the action here. In fact, Edina residents enjoy the shortest commute of cities we’re covering here at just 20 minutes. The median household income in Edina is $125,506/year and home prices are among the priciest in the state. Meaning you might want a lucrative job lined up before committing to a mortgage.

While Edina often gets overshadowed by the Twin Cities, there’s plenty to do here as well. A local favorite is Centennial Lakes Park, complete with an 18-hole putting course, skating rink, amphitheater, and farmer’s market.

Stillwater, MN

Source: Public domain
Stat Stillwater Minnesota
Population 19,316 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 11
Median Home Value $417,520 $324,667
Median Income $107,986 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 2.6% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0099 0.0239

More on Stillwater: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Known as Minnesota’s “birthplace,” Stillwater is the 8 best place to live in the state. Home to 19,316, the city has a median income of 107,986 and median home values of $417,520.

Found within the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro, Stillwater has an attractive 2.6 unemployment rate, ranking 39th lowest in the state, and a well-educated population where 50% of adults have higher education. Its easy access to highways 36, 95, and 96 along with historic attractions and river activities make Stillwater a prime location.

Lakeville, MN

Source: Wikipedia User William Wesen (Appraiser at en.wikipedia) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Lakeville Minnesota
Population 70,696 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 12
Median Home Value $465,445 $324,667
Median Income $129,069 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 2.5% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0080 0.0239

More on Lakeville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Located about 15 minutes south of Bloomington, Lakeville is the sole representative of Dakota County on this list. Lakeville is the youngest city to make the cut, with a median age of 36. Evidently, young-uns are moving here in droves, because its population has grown by 15% since 2010. Maybe they’re attracted by the high median household income of $129,069/year. Or the fact that Lakeville has the 22nd lowest crime rate in Minnesota. Or maybe they just want to be as close as possible to the Minnesota Zoo.

In any case, Lakeville’s economy can sustain the increased population, because both the poverty level and unemployment rate here are incredibly low.

Delano, MN

Source: Wikipedia User AlexiusHoratius | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Delano Minnesota
Population 6,539 5,695,292
Rank Last Year 5
Median Home Value $415,697 $324,667
Median Income $105,766 $84,313
Unemployment Rate 0.8% 4.0%
Crime Per Capita 0.0077 0.0239

More on Delano: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Delano is an exceptional place to live in the state. The median home price in Delano is $415,697, which is quite reasonable compared to other areas in the state.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring Delano’s beautiful natural surroundings, including the nearby South Fork of the Crow River. The city also offers numerous parks and recreational facilities for residents to enjoy. Furthermore, Delano is conveniently located on the outskirts of the Twin Cities.

Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Minnesota

Best Places To Live In Minnesota Size Requirement

Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Minnesota, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit cities with populations over 100,000 against places with a population of 18?

We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.

So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:

  • Cities — Populations over 5,000
  • Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
  • Small Towns — Populations below 1,000

This filter left 145 cities, 215 towns, and 509 small towns.

We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Minnesota have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Minnesota

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in Minnesota across a number of criteria from one to 145, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Minnesota.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

  • Median Home Values
  • Median Income
  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Unemployment Rate
  • Commute Time
  • Crime
  • Education Levels
  • Health Insurance Coverage
  • Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking Minnesota’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Minnesota. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Mendota Heights at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Summary: The Best Places In Minnesota

If you’re looking at areas in Minnesota with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The best places to live in Minnesota are Mendota Heights, Plymouth, Albertville, Minnetonka, Medina, Chanhassen, Edina, Stillwater, Lakeville, and Delano.

Mendota Heights made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Minnesota for 2024.

If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Minnesota according to the data:

  1. Brainerd (Pop. 14,412)
  2. Bemidji (Pop. 15,441)
  3. Waite Park (Pop. 8,290)

For more Minnesota reading, check out:

Best Places To Live In Minnesota Table

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income Rent Crime Per Capita
1 Mendota Heights 11,642 0.9% $515,905 $129,800 $1,268 0.0198
2 Plymouth 79,918 2.1% $474,202 $130,131 $1,625 0.0129
3 Albertville 7,883 0.0% $357,047 $107,316 $1,166 0.0077
4 Minnetonka 53,529 2.5% $450,534 $114,867 $1,673 0.0178
5 Medina 6,746 1.8% $797,015 $202,153 $1,211 0.0055
6 Chanhassen 25,868 3.5% $509,790 $131,633 $1,706 0.0090
7 Edina 53,037 3.7% $598,918 $125,506 $1,700 0.0208
8 Stillwater 19,316 2.6% $417,520 $107,986 $1,449 0.0099
9 Lakeville 70,696 2.5% $465,445 $129,069 $1,623 0.0080
10 Delano 6,539 0.8% $415,697 $105,766 $1,012 0.0077
11 Rosemount 25,993 3.1% $408,304 $127,252 $1,521 0.0065
12 Minnetrista 8,347 2.3% $660,620 $162,474 $2,302 0.0095
13 Rogers 13,283 1.3% $441,756 $154,611 $1,282 0.0215
14 Lino Lakes 21,525 3.1% $422,847 $120,745 $1,690 0.0104
15 Prior Lake 27,608 1.5% $492,980 $129,539 $1,447 0.0190
16 Victoria 10,681 4.3% $552,013 $179,515 $2,588 0.0090
17 Waconia 12,993 3.2% $436,466 $101,619 $1,174 0.0090
18 St. Anthony 9,332 1.8% $377,784 $91,955 $1,297 0.0506
19 Eden Prairie 63,623 3.8% $463,961 $129,345 $1,731 0.0135
20 Corcoran 6,549 1.6% $556,085 $155,385 $2,219 0.0041
21 Woodbury 75,549 3.2% $448,821 $125,097 $1,767 0.0163
22 Dayton 7,745 2.2% $473,645 $138,654 $1,181 0.0077
23 Mahtomedi 8,073 3.2% $460,576 $126,579 $1,652 0.0363
24 St. Michael 18,648 2.6% $410,822 $123,318 $1,239 0.0077
25 La Crescent 5,352 0.0% $309,576 $70,813 $953 0.0022
26 Otsego 20,455 1.5% $395,838 $122,420 $1,595 0.0077
27 Savage 32,441 3.9% $412,196 $123,069 $1,595 0.0095
28 Lake Elmo 11,861 3.3% $616,212 $158,269 $0 0.0363
29 Carver 5,656 5.5% $477,934 $125,123 $1,369 0.0090
30 Maple Grove 70,110 4.0% $397,985 $127,001 $1,768 0.0207
31 Orono 8,223 3.2% $1,019,638 $173,209 $1,638 0.0151
32 Champlin 23,666 2.9% $347,903 $113,570 $1,478 0.0112
33 Cottage Grove 39,274 2.7% $368,093 $117,673 $1,621 0.0105
34 Hugo 15,831 1.6% $413,867 $110,160 $1,804 0.0363
35 Chaska 27,764 2.3% $441,075 $99,988 $1,392 0.0090
36 Farmington 23,487 3.4% $373,537 $114,737 $1,214 0.0067
37 Kasson 6,855 2.8% $298,905 $91,581 $796 0.0083
38 New Prague 8,155 3.6% $326,107 $101,579 $1,193 0.0078
39 North Mankato 14,238 2.0% $285,195 $74,602 $886 0.0107
40 Golden Valley 22,142 3.2% $409,489 $110,026 $1,589 0.0210
41 Byron 6,373 4.5% $362,923 $126,250 $989 0.0211
42 St. Louis Park 49,500 2.8% $364,388 $94,263 $1,504 0.0355
43 Belle Plaine 7,363 0.7% $337,852 $94,698 $1,256 0.0079
44 Stewartville 6,684 1.2% $304,105 $92,961 $945 0.0211
45 Ramsey 27,774 4.3% $362,266 $110,212 $1,738 0.0081
46 Hastings 22,063 3.2% $313,784 $87,722 $1,146 0.0147
47 Eagan 68,262 4.1% $385,125 $104,101 $1,490 0.0240
48 Hermantown 10,135 1.8% $383,661 $85,417 $1,187 0.0405
49 Elk River 25,936 2.0% $377,388 $95,597 $1,244 0.0185
50 St. Joseph 7,066 2.7% $303,966 $74,318 $1,037 0.0051
51 Sauk Rapids 13,830 2.9% $275,189 $66,442 $927 0.0181
52 Shorewood 7,722 5.1% $717,403 $163,525 $1,707 0.0641
53 North Oaks 5,193 5.1% $876,362 $235,714 $2,112 0.0660
54 Shoreview 26,846 4.1% $391,526 $106,153 $1,404 0.0660
55 Northfield 20,518 6.2% $358,052 $83,125 $955 0.0088
56 New Brighton 23,141 2.3% $362,922 $84,707 $1,245 0.0229
57 East Grand Forks 9,118 3.3% $260,596 $81,783 $826 0.0063
58 White Bear Lake 24,317 4.6% $332,323 $79,699 $1,460 0.0206
59 Wyoming 8,037 2.9% $379,394 $99,821 $1,176 0.0139
60 Thief River Falls 8,871 1.3% $188,664 $65,086 $921 0.0220
61 Andover 32,639 2.6% $415,283 $123,054 $1,713 0.0483
62 Inver Grove Heights 35,673 3.2% $349,482 $98,719 $1,324 0.0228
63 New Ulm 14,055 2.8% $215,828 $59,985 $883 0.0016
64 Ham Lake 16,489 2.4% $463,556 $112,854 $1,288 0.0483
65 Sartell 19,382 2.6% $315,131 $74,177 $1,125 0.0234
66 Apple Valley 55,594 4.2% $363,468 $97,588 $1,607 0.0186
67 Buffalo 16,288 3.9% $354,423 $81,868 $1,037 0.0077
68 Falcon Heights 5,232 8.1% $391,737 $87,750 $1,162 0.0660
69 Owatonna 26,400 3.6% $269,150 $78,295 $925 0.0127
70 St. Paul Park 5,497 0.5% $293,855 $92,760 $1,689 0.0104
71 Shakopee 44,135 3.9% $378,683 $103,924 $1,417 0.0177
72 Litchfield 6,598 2.0% $224,619 $60,804 $878 0.0111
73 Mound 9,272 3.6% $360,628 $89,855 $1,050 0.0641
74 Oak Grove 8,956 2.5% $431,853 $118,871 $1,419 0.0483
75 Rochester 120,848 3.7% $309,298 $83,973 $1,218 0.0211
76 Arden Hills 9,805 4.3% $450,961 $121,978 $1,891 0.0660
77 Hopkins 18,752 4.3% $317,062 $70,058 $1,284 0.0244
78 Crystal 22,954 2.6% $296,320 $86,288 $1,351 0.0263
79 Jordan 6,648 6.0% $421,455 $111,290 $1,203 0.0069
80 St. Peter 12,039 2.0% $272,777 $67,255 $928 0.0096
81 Blaine 70,047 4.4% $354,091 $100,659 $1,635 0.0206
82 Baxter 8,668 3.0% $334,916 $67,064 $1,095 0.0242
83 Roseville 36,066 5.3% $350,177 $87,702 $1,250 0.0660
84 Monticello 14,447 1.8% $310,024 $80,290 $1,263 0.0077
85 Mounds View 13,100 4.3% $322,091 $89,358 $1,174 0.0207
86 Coon Rapids 63,296 4.2% $310,442 $85,445 $1,393 0.0210
87 Vadnais Heights 12,864 4.9% $354,501 $89,632 $1,155 0.0660
88 Waseca 9,208 4.7% $229,401 $62,632 $838 0.0111
89 North St. Paul 12,465 4.0% $304,655 $77,475 $1,226 0.0232
90 North Branch 10,968 3.7% $332,334 $94,564 $1,085 0.0143
91 St. Francis 8,198 2.7% $325,664 $98,390 $1,032 0.0154
92 Zimmerman 6,243 0.3% $305,646 $79,720 $1,367 0.0185
93 Oakdale 28,029 4.0% $329,457 $86,003 $1,240 0.0303
94 East Bethel 11,901 3.7% $378,957 $116,453 $1,544 0.0483
95 Anoka 17,892 5.2% $308,373 $73,118 $1,179 0.0151
96 Forest Lake 20,553 4.5% $387,584 $91,157 $1,343 0.0207
97 Hibbing 16,167 4.9% $142,670 $52,881 $698 0.0079
98 Bloomington 89,244 4.4% $347,523 $87,381 $1,426 0.0401
99 Burnsville 64,075 4.5% $356,837 $85,801 $1,443 0.0272
100 Hutchinson 14,588 4.6% $275,891 $64,635 $841 0.0127

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.