Minnesota is an amazing place to live, and we have some of America’s star towns and cities with top rankings for safety, education, coolness, and overall livability. From the cities to the suburbs to the small towns across the state, here are some of the best places to live in Minnesota. We searched the national and state rankings to find you the most livable MN towns and cities, and those that are also top ranked in areas like safety, education, and affordability. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s bound to be a place on this list that would make you a fantastic home!
- Chanhassen, Best Overall City
Facebook/City of Chanhassen, Minnesota Government Ranked #7 in the nation by Money Magazine for Best Places to Live in 2015, Chanhassen gets top rankings for job growth, affordable homes, and beautiful scenery. They also have some of the best ranked schools in the state. Congratulations, Chanhassen!
- Rosemount, Best Place for Kids
Facebook/City of Rosemount Rosemount made #12 on the same Money Magazine list, and are top rated for kids because of their top ranked schools and parks, not to mention their great libraries!
- Minneapolis, Best Overall Big City
Wikimedia/Bobak Ha’Eri Minneapolis is nationally ranked in health and livability, and listed in Money Magazines 5 best places in the US for outdoor lovers! There’s something for everyone in this cultural center with art, theater and music that rival even New York City.
- Greenwood, Best Overall Small Town
City of Greenwood Greenwood is ranked #1 in livability in the entire state by areavibes.com due to low crime, high levels of education and employment, and close amenities. It only took a hit when it comes to high cost of overall living.
- Northfield, Best Place to Retire
Wikimedia/123dieinafire Ranked #1 in the nation by Money Magazine for being the best place for well-rounded retirement, Northfield is a phenomenal small town with 2 colleges, beautiful scenery, and a thriving local business community.
- Edina, Best Place To Start A Family
Facebook/Explore Edina #2 in the state for best schools, and #15 on Money Magazine’s Best Places To Live list, Edina has a great job market, phenomenal parks, and obviously amazing schools. It is the perfect place to start planning your family.
- Hibbing, Safest Place to Live
Facebook/Robert J. Thiel via City of Hibbing MN Government (cityofhibbing) Hibbing topped our list of safest places to live, and it doesn’t get much better than that. The low crime rates of Hibbing actually boosted it to the #4 spot for safest places to live in the entire nation!
- Albert Lea, Most Affordable
Facebook/Ruth Olson via City of Albert Lea - City Hall Albert Lea has a cost of living 21.1% lower than the MN average, as well as low unemployment and beautiful scenery.
- Rochester, Most Livable Big City
Wikimedia/Phthalogreen Rochester is top ranked for livability with low crime, great education and low cost of living, not to mention a lot of employment opportunities.
- Grand Marais, Coolest Small Town
Wikimedia/Jonathunder You can’t beat America’s coolest small town. It’s consistently ranked among Minnesota’s most beautiful places, favorite vacation spots, and best places to retire. It’s the perfect place to get away from the craziness of the Metro area and enjoy the unbridled beauty of the North Shore.
Did your town or city make the list? If not, tell us why where you live is the best in Minnesota on the Only In Minnesota Facebook Page!
Facebook/City of Chanhassen, Minnesota Government
Ranked #7 in the nation by Money Magazine for Best Places to Live in 2015, Chanhassen gets top rankings for job growth, affordable homes, and beautiful scenery. They also have some of the best ranked schools in the state. Congratulations, Chanhassen!
Facebook/City of Rosemount
Rosemount made #12 on the same Money Magazine list, and are top rated for kids because of their top ranked schools and parks, not to mention their great libraries!
Wikimedia/Bobak Ha’Eri
Minneapolis is nationally ranked in health and livability, and listed in Money Magazines 5 best places in the US for outdoor lovers! There’s something for everyone in this cultural center with art, theater and music that rival even New York City.
City of Greenwood
Greenwood is ranked #1 in livability in the entire state by areavibes.com due to low crime, high levels of education and employment, and close amenities. It only took a hit when it comes to high cost of overall living.
Wikimedia/123dieinafire
Ranked #1 in the nation by Money Magazine for being the best place for well-rounded retirement, Northfield is a phenomenal small town with 2 colleges, beautiful scenery, and a thriving local business community.
Facebook/Explore Edina
#2 in the state for best schools, and #15 on Money Magazine’s Best Places To Live list, Edina has a great job market, phenomenal parks, and obviously amazing schools. It is the perfect place to start planning your family.
Facebook/Robert J. Thiel via City of Hibbing MN Government (cityofhibbing)
Hibbing topped our list of safest places to live, and it doesn’t get much better than that. The low crime rates of Hibbing actually boosted it to the #4 spot for safest places to live in the entire nation!
Facebook/Ruth Olson via City of Albert Lea - City Hall
Albert Lea has a cost of living 21.1% lower than the MN average, as well as low unemployment and beautiful scenery.
Wikimedia/Phthalogreen
Rochester is top ranked for livability with low crime, great education and low cost of living, not to mention a lot of employment opportunities.
Wikimedia/Jonathunder
You can’t beat America’s coolest small town. It’s consistently ranked among Minnesota’s most beautiful places, favorite vacation spots, and best places to retire. It’s the perfect place to get away from the craziness of the Metro area and enjoy the unbridled beauty of the North Shore.
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