Best Cities for Families in Minnesota

Strong schools, low crime, affordable homes and family-friendly commutes.

Retirees Remote Workers Families Young Professionals Affordability All Rankings →
All United States  ·  Minnesota

How We Score

Each metric is normalized 0-100 across U.S. cities, then weighted and summed. Cities missing any metric are excluded.

Schools · 25% Safety · 20% Home Affordability · 15% Low Poverty · 10% Jobs · 10% Short Commute · 10% Education · 10%

Top 12 Families Cities in Minnesota

Ranked by composite score across 7 weighted metrics.

#1
Score 83.5
Minnetonka, MN
53,256 residents
Schools 7.2
Safety 116/100K
Home Affordability $456,200
#2
Score 82.9
Golden Valley, MN
21,927 residents
Schools 7.2
Safety 67/100K
Home Affordability $423,500
#3
Score 82.4
New Ulm, MN
14,066 residents
Schools 6.9
Safety 72/100K
Home Affordability $192,700
#4
Score 81.4
Osakis, MN
1,667 residents
Schools 6.9
Safety 0/100K
Home Affordability $169,200
#5
Score 81.4
Chaska, MN
28,146 residents
Schools 7.2
Safety 88/100K
Home Affordability $379,400
#6
Score 80.2
Deephaven, MN
3,835 residents
Schools 7.2
Safety 0/100K
Home Affordability $854,000
#7
Score 80.1
Stillwater, MN
19,323 residents
Schools 7.0
Safety 89/100K
Home Affordability $398,100
#8
Score 79.7
Eden Prairie, MN
63,249 residents
Schools 6.9
Safety 73/100K
Home Affordability $463,300
#9
Score 79.6
St. Louis Park, MN
49,541 residents
Schools 6.9
Safety 188/100K
Home Affordability $371,600
#10
Score 79.1
Edina, MN
53,125 residents
Schools 6.9
Safety 73/100K
Home Affordability $624,000
#11
Score 78.9
Proctor, MN
3,102 residents
Schools 6.5
Safety 97/100K
Home Affordability $219,500
#12
Score 78.8
Prior Lake, MN
27,832 residents
Schools 6.9
Safety 117/100K
Home Affordability $429,900

Full Ranking, Minnesota

Top 50 cities. Click any city to see its full profile.

1 Minnetonka MN 83.5
2 Golden Valley MN 82.9
3 New Ulm MN 82.4
4 Osakis MN 81.4
5 Chaska MN 81.4
6 Deephaven MN 80.2
7 Stillwater MN 80.1
8 Eden Prairie MN 79.7
9 St. Louis Park MN 79.6
10 Edina MN 79.1
11 Proctor MN 78.9
12 Prior Lake MN 78.8
13 Bayport MN 78.4
14 North Mankato MN 78.3
15 Minnetrista MN 78.2
16 Mendota Heights MN 78
17 New Prague MN 77.9
18 Belle Plaine MN 77.6
19 Wayzata MN 77.5
20 Shakopee MN 77.3
21 Nisswa MN 77.2
22 Savage MN 77.2
23 Alexandria MN 77
24 St. Charles MN 77
25 Hermantown MN 76.8
26 Eagan MN 76.8
27 Goodview MN 76.8
28 Glenwood MN 76.6
29 Lakeville MN 76.6
30 Buffalo MN 76.5
31 Wabasha MN 76.2
32 Breezy Point MN 75.9
33 Orono MN 75.8
34 La Crescent MN 75.7
35 Rosemount MN 75.7
36 Rochester MN 75.5
37 Lakefield MN 75.4
38 Sartell MN 75.3
39 Lake Shore MN 75.3
40 Forest Lake MN 75.2
41 Kasson MN 75.1
42 Princeton MN 75.1
43 New York Mills MN 75
44 Preston MN 75
45 Baxter MN 75
46 Hopkins MN 74.9
47 Sauk Rapids MN 74.9
48 Ely MN 74.8
49 Plymouth MN 74.6
50 Jordan MN 74.5

Minnetonka, MN tops the list with a composite score of 83.5 out of 100, followed by Golden Valley and New Ulm. MN dominates the top 12 with 12 cities, reflecting strong performance across the weighted metrics for families.

Rankings combine 7 independent metrics: Schools, Safety, Home Affordability, Low Poverty, Jobs, Short Commute, Education. Cities are weighted to reflect what matters most to families, and any city missing one or more metrics is excluded to avoid artificially inflated rankings.

Explore Other Best Cities Rankings

Best Cities for Retirees
Low crime, warm climate, affordable cost of living and strong healthcare access.
Best Cities for Remote Workers
Strong broadband, affordable rent, low traffic and existing remote-work culture.
Best Cities for Young Professionals
High incomes, educated peers, transit access and an under-35 demographic.
Most Affordable Cities
The lowest cost of living across home prices, rent, services and rent burden.

Related Single-Metric Rankings

Safest Cities → Most Affordable → Most Educated →