Minnesota
Among the top 16% of US states for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 31% 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)
- The median home value in Minnesota is $290k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Minnesota is $86k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Minnesota is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Minnesota has a violent crime rate of 818/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Minnesota is 23 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
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$119kbetter than 35% 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
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)
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. Median rent is $1k.
- 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.