Minnesota
Among the top 16% of US states for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 27% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 53% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B+, better than 73% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 75% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 84% of US states
- top 12% for violent crime
- top 20% for unemployment
- bottom 10% for income tax
Minnesota is a U.S. state with about 5,695,000 residents. It grades B+ for lifestyle & connectivity and C for affordability. Standout strengths include violent crime, unemployment, and comfortable days. It rates lower on estimated total tax burden and income tax.
Official websitemn.gov (opens in new tab)
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$86k75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$50kbetter than 58% of US states
Home Value$290k55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 45% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 37% of US states
Property Tax Rate1.06%better than 39% of US states
Income Tax9.81%better than 10% of US states
Sales Tax8.04%better than 28% of US states
Estimated total tax burden16.03%better than 12% of US states
Unemployment4.0%better than 80% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)14°F4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation31.8 in25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall48.5 inbetter than 22% of US states
Sunny Days203 daysbetter than 22% of US states
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 67% of US states
Comfortable Days92 daysbetter than 80% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk76.6better than 65% of US states
Air Quality48 AQIbetter than 38% of US states
School Quality72.1better than 64% of US states
Violent Crime818/100kbetter than 88% of US states
Property Crime1889/100kbetter than 44% of US states
Community
Population5,695,29259th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.739th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3435th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0175th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)77.7%76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)6.6%49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)5.7%27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)5.0%76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.0%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time23 minbetter than 71% of US states
Walkability9.1/20better than 61% of US states
Airport Distance59 mibetter than 49% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access89.8%better than 76% of US states
Amenities Nearby4.23better than 57% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 69% of US states
Frequently asked questions
- Is Minnesota an affordable place to live?
- Minnesota is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $50k, better than 58% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Minnesota?
- The median home value in Minnesota is $290k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Minnesota?
- Median household income in Minnesota is $86k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Minnesota?
- Median gross rent in Minnesota is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Minnesota safe?
- Minnesota is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 818/100k (better than 88%). Property crime is 1889/100k.
- What is the weather like in Minnesota?
- Minnesota averages 72°F in July and 14°F in January, with 31.8 in of annual precipitation and about 203 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Minnesota?
- Public-school quality in Minnesota is above average, scoring better than 64% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Minnesota?
- The average one-way commute in Minnesota is 23 min.
Best places to live in Minnesota
Top cities in Minnesota
Counties in Minnesota
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)