Best places to live in Minnesota
Cities and suburbs in Minnesota with 25,000+ people, scored against each other: affordability on a $75k salary after taxes and rent (35%), violent crime (30%), schools (20%) and job growth (15%).
| # | City | Score | Rent | Home | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elk River, MN | 74/100 | $1,283/mo | $370k | 8.6/10 |
| 2 | Rosemount, MN | 69/100 | $1,640/mo | $424k | 9.1/10 |
| 3 | Mankato, MN | 67/100 | $1,132/mo | $262k | 9/10 |
| 4 | Shakopee, MN | 66/100 | $1,531/mo | $375k | 8.9/10 |
| 5 | Chaska, MN | 65/100 | $1,553/mo | $405k | 9/10 |
| 6 | Prior Lake, MN | 62/100 | $1,654/mo | $451k | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Savage, MN | 61/100 | $1,766/mo | $432k | 9.5/10 |
| 8 | Plymouth, MN | 58/100 | $1,766/mo | $491k | 9.9/10 |
| 9 | Cottage Grove, MN | 58/100 | $1,783/mo | $379k | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Coon Rapids, MN | 56/100 | $1,494/mo | $306k | 8.9/10 |
| 11 | Lakeville, MN | 54/100 | $1,806/mo | $453k | 9.4/10 |
| 12 | Eden Prairie, MN | 54/100 | $1,833/mo | $474k | 9.6/10 |
| 13 | Ramsey, MN | 54/100 | $1,826/mo | $360k | 8.9/10 |
| 14 | Edina, MN | 53/100 | $1,844/mo | $646k | 9.8/10 |
| 15 | Eagan, MN | 52/100 | $1,679/mo | $397k | 9.1/10 |
| 16 | Blaine, MN | 51/100 | $1,705/mo | $352k | 7.3/10 |
| 17 | Minnetonka, MN | 51/100 | $1,779/mo | $476k | 9.9/10 |
| 18 | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 51/100 | $1,465/mo | $363k | 7.6/10 |
| 19 | Woodbury, MN | 48/100 | $1,908/mo | $450k | 9.1/10 |
| 20 | Burnsville, MN | 47/100 | $1,513/mo | $355k | 6.7/10 |
| 21 | Roseville, MN | 47/100 | $1,374/mo | $352k | 7.7/10 |
| 22 | Rochester, MN | 45/100 | $1,399/mo | $311k | 7.9/10 |
| 23 | Apple Valley, MN | 45/100 | $1,738/mo | $370k | 9.1/10 |
| 24 | Shoreview, MN | 45/100 | $1,661/mo | $384k | 9.4/10 |
| 25 | St. Louis Park, MN | 44/100 | $1,644/mo | $387k | 8.4/10 |
Rent, income and home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: 2026 federal and state rates for a single filer.
Compare the top 4