Best Places to Live in Minnesota (2025)

Discover the best neighborhoods in Minnesota. From Minneapolis' chain of lakes to St. Paul's tree-lined streets and lakefront resort towns, explore Minnesota living through detailed neighborhood guides.

Minnesota Neighborhood Guides

Explore our detailed guides for Minnesota's best neighborhoods. Each guide provides in-depth analysis of local characteristics, cost of living, and lifestyle fit.

Why Move to Minnesota?

Minnesota consistently ranks among America's most livable states, combining strong employment in healthcare, technology, and Fortune 500 companies (Target, Best Buy, 3M) with exceptional quality of life. The Twin Cities metro area offers urban sophistication with Minneapolis' chain of lakes and bike trails alongside St. Paul's historic neighborhoods, all while maintaining Midwestern affordability and friendliness. Minnesota's 11,000+ lakes provide unmatched water recreation access.

Our Minnesota neighborhood guides analyze real data on cost of living, school ratings, lake access, and community characteristics to help you find your perfect match. Whether you prioritize Minneapolis' urban lake districts with biking culture, St. Paul's tree-lined family neighborhoods, lakefront resort towns for summer living, or college town atmosphere in smaller cities, these guides provide detailed insights into Minnesota's most livable communities.

5.35-9.85%
State Income Tax
5.7M+
Population
11,000+
Lakes
High
Quality of Life

Minnesota Regions: Where to Live

Minneapolis (Uptown, Northeast, North Loop)

Known for: Chain of Lakes, extensive bike trails, arts scene, Fortune 500 headquarters. Uptown offers lake living with urban dining, Northeast features brewery district and arts studios, North Loop provides warehouse conversions and walkability. Strong public education and park systems. Popular with young professionals and active families.

St. Paul (Highland Park, Summit Hill, Como)

Known for: Historic architecture, tree-lined streets, neighborhood feel, lower density than Minneapolis. Highland Park offers family-friendly suburbs within city limits, Summit Avenue features Victorian mansions, Como provides lake and zoo access. More affordable housing than Minneapolis while maintaining urban proximity.

Western Suburbs (Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina)

Known for: Top-rated schools, corporate campuses, Lake Minnetonka access, affluent communities. Edina consistently ranks among best U.S. suburbs with excellent schools and Southdale area shopping. Eden Prairie and Minnetonka offer newer housing with lake access. Popular with families prioritizing education and safety.

Rochester & Southeast

Known for: Mayo Clinic headquarters, medical research, excellent healthcare access, strong economy. Rochester is Minnesota's third-largest city with stable employment in healthcare sector. More affordable than Twin Cities while offering urban amenities. Appeals to medical professionals and families seeking quality schools.

Lake Country & Resort Towns (Brainerd, Alexandria, Duluth)

Known for: Lakefront living, resort communities, outdoor recreation, slower pace. Duluth offers Lake Superior access with small-city culture. Brainerd Lakes area provides classic Minnesota cabin lifestyle. Popular with retirees, remote workers, and those seeking year-round outdoor recreation.

Compare Minnesota Cost of Living by ZIP Code

Use our interactive calculator to compare living expenses between any Minnesota ZIP codes. See how housing, food, transportation, and other costs differ across the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Compare Minnesota ZIP Codes