Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
A strong economy, top healthcare, lakes everywhere, and a quality of life worth the winters.
1. Minneapolis: Best overall
2. St. Paul: Best for character
3. Rochester: Best for healthcare jobs
4. Edina: Best for families
5. Bloomington: Best value suburb
6. Duluth: Best for lake life
7. Eden Prairie: Best master-planned suburb
8. Maple Grove: Best growth suburb
9. Mankato: Best small city
Minnesota quietly ranks among the best states for quality of life, with a strong corporate economy, excellent healthcare, top schools, and more lakes than you can count. The winters are real, but so are the parks, bike trails, and tight-knit communities. Here are the 9 best places to live in Minnesota, ranked.