These Are Now The 10 Best Cities To Live In Minnesota

Minnesota has an overall reputation as a great state to live in. The Land of 10,000 Lakes often ranks high for quality of life due to its strong healthcare, education, infrastructure, and natural environment.

It is also known for having a prosperous economy, vibrant arts and culture, and high rates of civic engagement.

The state offers a wide variety of lifestyle options, depending on where you live, so where are the best cities to live in Minnesota?  A recent study set out to answer that very question, and based on its criteria, the best cities have been identified.

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Finding The Best Cities To Live In Minnesota

To determine the best cities to live in Minnesota, they first 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.

Next, they analyzed data from various sources, focusing specifically on the following criteria:

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

After crunching all the data, the best cities were identified.

The 10 Best Cities To Live In Minnesota

10. Delano

• Population 6,712
• Median Home Value $347,500
  Median Income $118,091
• Unemployment Rate 1.1%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0068

Delano was found to be an exceptional place to live in the state. The median home price in Delano is $347,500, which is great when compared to other areas.

Outdoor enthusiasts love exploring Delano’s beautiful natural surroundings, including the nearby South Fork of the Crow River.

9. Waconia

• Population 13,223
• Median Home Value $407,600
• Median Income $104,929
• Unemployment Rate 4.1%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0065

Waconia is located about 45 minutes west of Minneapolis, and one that really stood out was its economic success. It has a tremendously low poverty level of 4.2% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Waconia also has the lowest cost of living of any city on this list.

8. Minnetonka

• Population 53,256
• Median Home Value $456,200
• Median Income $120,496
• Unemployment Rate 2.2%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0174

The Twin Cities suburb has an overall mature community, with a median age of 42, which is the highest on this list. However, Minnetonka’s school district has a student expenditure about 55% higher than the statewide average, so it's also a great place for young people and families.

7. Lakeville

• Population 72,480
• Median Home Value $425,200
• Median Income $138,119
• Unemployment Rate 2.3%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0084

Lakeville is located about 15 miles south of Bloomington, and it's the only city in Dakota County on the list. Lakeville has a nice median household income of $138,119 per year.

It's also the youngest city in the top 10, with a median age of 36. Lakeville's population has grown by 15% since 2010.

6. Albertville

• Population 8,066
• Median Home Value $326,400
• Median Income $126,307
• Unemployment Rate 0.0%

Albertville offers a low cost of living and a median home price of $326,400, which makes it ideal for people seeking affordable housing options. The city also offers a wide range of shopping options and access to beautiful parks and recreational facilities.

5. Medina

• Population 6,858
• Median Home Value $660,800
• Median Income $219,181
• Unemployment Rate 1.9%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0063

Medina has been growing fast, adding nearly 33% to its population since 2010, and the newcomers appear to be well educated because over 30% of its population has a master’s degree, a PhD, or a professional degree.

Medina has the 2nd highest median household income in Minnesota at $219,181 per, which is good since the cost of living here is roughly 45% higher than the national average and the highest of anywhere on this list.

4. Edina

• Population 53,125
• Median Home Value $624,000
• Median Income $129,225
• Unemployment Rate 3.8%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0184

Edina is the most densely populated city on the list, and education is a priority as the city features multiple Blue Ribbon award-winning elementary schools and a 7.5/10 average rating on GreatSchools. Furthermore, the graduation rate in Edina is more than 10% higher than the statewide average.

3. Chanhassen

• Population 26,001
• Median Home Value $530,700
• Median Income $138,034
• Unemployment Rate 3.5%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0065

Chanhassen is a Carver County city with a low poverty level and a low unemployment rate. Both its median household income and median home price are in the top ten statewide at $138,034 per year and $530,700, respectively.

2. Mendota Heights

• Population 11,644
• Median Home Value $504,100
• Median Income $132,935
• Unemployment Rate 1.0%
• Crime Per Capita 0.0143

Mendota Heights is located along two major rivers, the Mississippi and the Minnesota, which provide excellent scenic vistas and outdoor activities. However, because it's a suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul, it also offers the amenities of a major metropolitan area.

1. Plymouth

• Population 79,526
• Median Home Value $474,700
• Median Income $133,865
• Unemployment Rate 2.0%

Plymouth is the winner, and it's also the largest suburb of  Minneapolis-St. Paul to crack the top 10.

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It's the cream of the crop not only because its poverty level and unemployment rate are both substantially lower than the national average, but also because it offers excellent public schools, low crime, and fantastic amenities, with Millennium Garden often called its best-kept secret.