Minneapolis has plenty to offer, but the price of admission usually comes with traffic, sky-high rent, and a calendar that fills itself.
If you want the upside of Minneapolis without the daily grind, the answer is almost always a good suburb. The catch: not every suburb is worth the move.
So we ranked them. Using Saturday Night Science, we pulled the numbers on every place within commuting distance of Minneapolis: incomes, home prices, unemployment, schools, the works. The result is a no-nonsense ranking of where you actually want to live.
$197,679 median income · $1,062,991 median home price
Deephaven is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Minneapolis area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome Deephaven.”
Everyone here is rich; families average $197,679 a year, which is the 3rd highest in the Minneapolis region. And only 1.7% are out of work. Homes average more than $1,062,991 each.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$195,639 median income · $608,561 median home price
Located in
Carver County, Minnesota
Victoria is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Minneapolis for 2026.
It ranks 4th for incomes in the area and only 1.1% of residents lack insurance, good for 13th best.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$153,750 median income · $585,815 median home price
Here in Greenfield, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the Minneapolis metro area.
The bad side? Schools are more crowded, and the cost of living puts a large part of the city out of reach for most families.
But price is based on demand and a lot of people want to live in Greenfield.
$186,597 median income · $797,890 median home price
Independence ranks as the 4th best suburb of Minneapolis for 2026.
You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in Independence and the schools are some of the best around.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$156,536 median income · $444,056 median home price
Coming in as the fifth best is Hanover.
Hanover gets kudos for having the 4most expensive homes in the Minneapolis area, where houses sell for an average of $444,056. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$132,768 median income · $562,137 median home price
Located in
Dakota County, Minnesota
Mendota Heights is proud of its 6th place finish on this list. And here’s why.
Most residents have great jobs and the unemployment rate sits at 1.4%.
According to online reports, Mendota Heights is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Minneapolis area, meaning you need to get in soon.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$136,534 median income · $508,713 median home price
Located in
Hennepin County, Minnesota
The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Plymouth.
Plymouth schools are some of the best in the region, and crime is really low. The cost of living makes it a lot more desirable for many families, especially first-time home buyers.
And, it’s only 10.3 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$152,150 median income · $472,662 median home price
Elko New Market is growing quickly, and for a good reason. Crime is far below average, and most residents are gainfully employed. Even the cost of living is reasonable.
A solid 1.5% of people lack insurance, good for 19th in the area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$132,734 median income · $375,310 median home price
Located in
Wright County, Minnesota
Is ‘Everything Better In Albertville?’
Almost.
It placed 9th on our list thanks to the fact that it’s really expensive to live here, but the schools are great, so you get what you pay for in that regard.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$131,614 median income · $913,298 median home price
And rounding out the top ten for 2026 is Wayzata.
This city is far above average in every category, and the best part? It’s far more affordable than the other cities listed above. So, you get a big bang for your buck here.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is Minnesota’s statewide median.
Minnesota statewide median: $89,062
Minnesota statewide median: $346,668
Minnesota statewide median: 4.1%
Minnesota statewide median: 9.3%
On the map
Where the best Minneapolis suburbs are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How we determined the best suburbs around Minneapolis for 2026
Figuring out the best suburbs around Minneapolis was simple. We used Saturday Night Science to find things people like about living in the suburbs and then locate the suburbs with those things.
We analyzed the newest American Community Survey data for 2020-2024 to research each suburb. We decided upon the following criteria:
- Low unemployment rate
- High median household incomes
- Population density (lots of things to do)
- High home values
- A lot of college-educated people
- Low poverty
- High rate of insured families
We defined a suburb as being within 30 miles of Minneapolis.
Additionally, we limited the analysis to places that have over 2,000 people. This left us with a grand total of 111 suburbs to evaluate around Minneapolis.
We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 111 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each place to create a quality-of-life index.
Finally, we crowned the city with the best quality of life index, the “Best Suburb near Minneapolis.” We’re lookin’ at you, Deephaven.
This result may differ from our state-wide data as we did not include commute times and crime for this analysis to allow for a more extensive selection of suburbs.
We updated the data for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the best Minneapolis suburbs. Skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.
The full plate
Table: Best Minneapolis Suburbs
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Suburb Score | Population | Median Income | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deephaven | 18.21 | 3,793 | $197,679 | $1,062,991 |
| 2 | Victoria | 21.79 | 11,295 | $195,639 | $608,561 |
| 3 | Greenfield | 24.93 | 2,894 | $153,750 | $585,815 |
| 4 | Independence | 25.43 | 3,694 | $186,597 | $797,890 |
| 5 | Hanover | 26.07 | 3,626 | $156,536 | $444,056 |
| 6 | Mendota Heights | 27.00 | 11,612 | $132,768 | $562,137 |
| 7 | Plymouth | 29.07 | 79,220 | $136,534 | $508,713 |
| 8 | Elko New Market | 29.86 | 5,002 | $152,150 | $472,662 |
| 9 | Albertville | 30.07 | 8,207 | $132,734 | $375,310 |
| 10 | Wayzata | 30.36 | 4,354 | $131,614 | $913,298 |
| 11 | Edina | 31.07 | 53,262 | $128,767 | $615,641 |
| 12 | Mahtomedi | 31.29 | 8,133 | $123,319 | $478,624 |
| 13 | Lake Elmo | 31.43 | 13,140 | $153,669 | $618,480 |
| 14 | Rogers | 31.64 | 13,685 | $158,750 | $458,983 |
| 15 | Orono | 32.71 | 8,195 | $173,527 | $1,113,974 |
| 16 | Chanhassen | 34.00 | 26,006 | $143,651 | $548,742 |
| 17 | Lakeville | 34.29 | 74,354 | $139,041 | $487,882 |
| 18 | North Hudson | 35.43 | 3,819 | $122,647 | $403,225 |
| 19 | Prior Lake | 36.00 | 28,016 | $134,255 | $525,577 |
| 20 | Corcoran | 36.14 | 7,302 | $133,423 | $601,129 |
| 21 | Carver | 36.29 | 6,239 | $147,697 | $493,733 |
| 22 | St. Michael | 38.07 | 20,010 | $131,274 | $426,652 |
| 23 | Minnetonka | 38.64 | 53,064 | $119,517 | $483,591 |
| 24 | North Oaks | 38.64 | 5,179 | $231,742 | $936,794 |
| 25 | Minnetrista | 40.07 | 8,708 | $163,051 | $684,705 |
| 26 | Maple Grove | 40.14 | 71,173 | $132,731 | $424,803 |
| 27 | Hugo | 40.21 | 16,340 | $116,228 | $432,376 |
| 28 | Shorewood | 40.79 | 7,647 | $171,063 | $804,465 |
| 29 | Scandia | 41.64 | 3,950 | $101,953 | $540,660 |
| 30 | Waconia | 42.07 | 13,434 | $111,031 | $458,548 |
| 31 | Grant | 42.07 | 3,950 | $150,875 | $713,726 |
| 32 | Afton | 42.43 | 2,957 | $133,305 | $711,857 |
| 33 | Excelsior | 42.43 | 2,570 | $103,068 | $799,758 |
| 34 | Oak Grove | 42.71 | 9,130 | $117,696 | $462,896 |
| 35 | Medina | 43.00 | 6,968 | $230,859 | $832,022 |
| 36 | Centerville | 43.50 | 3,935 | $122,541 | $397,125 |
| 37 | Rosemount | 45.29 | 27,562 | $129,625 | $432,777 |
| 38 | Andover | 46.00 | 33,035 | $137,593 | $435,598 |
| 39 | Eden Prairie | 46.14 | 63,051 | $130,489 | $501,363 |
| 40 | Lino Lakes | 46.14 | 22,113 | $127,181 | $447,709 |
| 41 | Delano | 48.29 | 6,942 | $109,946 | $435,729 |
| 42 | St. Anthony | 48.71 | 9,671 | $97,363 | $396,789 |
| 43 | Cologne | 49.14 | 2,282 | $129,398 | $397,512 |
| 44 | Dayton | 49.43 | 9,095 | $148,947 | $509,219 |
| 45 | Bayport | 49.86 | 3,905 | $125,893 | $434,119 |
| 46 | Elk River | 50.43 | 26,793 | $108,741 | $391,288 |
| 47 | Nowthen | 50.57 | 4,538 | $160,417 | $484,261 |
| 48 | Stillwater | 51.21 | 19,355 | $105,853 | $445,501 |
| 49 | Woodbury | 51.64 | 78,305 | $125,310 | $457,355 |
| 50 | Champlin | 52.07 | 23,294 | $116,102 | $370,691 |
| 51 | St. Louis Park | 53.57 | 49,594 | $101,648 | $379,371 |
| 52 | Shoreview | 53.57 | 26,714 | $108,370 | $410,993 |
| 53 | Otsego | 54.29 | 22,245 | $119,927 | $418,193 |
| 54 | Arden Hills | 54.29 | 9,658 | $134,118 | $477,166 |
| 55 | Savage | 54.57 | 32,889 | $125,513 | $427,463 |
| 56 | Ramsey | 54.93 | 28,421 | $116,415 | $381,243 |
| 57 | Circle Pines | 55.43 | 4,968 | $101,800 | $309,951 |
| 58 | Falcon Heights | 55.86 | 5,085 | $96,528 | $412,532 |
| 59 | Columbus | 56.00 | 4,248 | $123,194 | $471,094 |
| 60 | Ham Lake | 56.14 | 16,702 | $120,135 | $492,264 |
| 61 | Chaska | 56.57 | 28,706 | $110,956 | $479,348 |
| 62 | Cottage Grove | 57.29 | 40,992 | $120,791 | $396,381 |
| 63 | Wyoming | 57.29 | 8,087 | $107,565 | $387,741 |
| 64 | Farmington | 57.43 | 23,902 | $123,673 | $400,171 |
| 65 | Eagan | 58.00 | 68,000 | $108,690 | $401,217 |
| 66 | Watertown | 59.00 | 4,790 | $99,671 | $374,890 |
| 67 | East Bethel | 60.14 | 12,115 | $110,000 | $414,303 |
| 68 | Rockford | 61.36 | 4,597 | $94,162 | $351,341 |
| 69 | Jordan | 61.93 | 6,771 | $110,057 | $437,126 |
| 70 | Apple Valley | 62.00 | 55,679 | $97,673 | $376,121 |
| 71 | Hudson | 62.00 | 14,959 | $93,937 | $496,565 |
| 72 | Mound | 62.14 | 9,107 | $86,675 | $378,827 |
| 73 | Golden Valley | 62.29 | 21,725 | $108,772 | $437,256 |
| 74 | Inver Grove Heights | 63.07 | 35,906 | $101,316 | $374,324 |
| 75 | White Bear Lake | 64.00 | 23,908 | $83,554 | $355,724 |
| 76 | Hastings | 65.00 | 22,117 | $93,998 | $378,760 |
| 77 | Oak Park Heights | 66.36 | 4,756 | $82,476 | $344,826 |
| 78 | Prescott | 66.43 | 4,503 | $74,412 | $396,930 |
| 79 | New Brighton | 67.00 | 22,710 | $88,521 | $380,080 |
| 80 | Oakdale | 67.93 | 28,585 | $93,772 | $353,330 |
| 81 | Vadnais Heights | 69.43 | 12,838 | $98,685 | $370,284 |
| 82 | Roseville | 71.00 | 35,802 | $86,930 | $374,912 |
| 83 | Blaine | 71.07 | 72,488 | $106,801 | $378,017 |
| 84 | Lauderdale | 71.07 | 2,388 | $78,684 | $304,242 |
| 85 | St. Paul Park | 71.14 | 5,457 | $100,642 | $314,770 |
| 86 | Crystal | 71.21 | 22,476 | $92,513 | $318,582 |
| 87 | North St. Paul | 73.00 | 12,570 | $84,797 | $325,856 |
| 88 | Shakopee | 73.64 | 46,012 | $107,223 | $403,598 |
| 89 | Mounds View | 74.93 | 12,926 | $90,009 | $341,297 |
| 90 | Forest Lake | 75.00 | 20,729 | $92,944 | $421,551 |
| 91 | Robbinsdale | 77.43 | 14,234 | $88,252 | $313,988 |
| 92 | Coon Rapids | 78.57 | 63,468 | $88,251 | $325,994 |
| 93 | Richfield | 78.71 | 36,642 | $85,132 | $347,412 |
| 94 | Osseo | 79.79 | 2,584 | $62,119 | $306,481 |
| 95 | New Hope | 80.14 | 21,181 | $77,662 | $350,939 |
| 96 | Anoka | 80.43 | 17,970 | $75,948 | $326,597 |
| 97 | Bloomington | 80.57 | 88,665 | $93,211 | $361,589 |
| 98 | Spring Lake Park | 81.64 | 7,032 | $90,753 | $318,674 |
| 99 | Brooklyn Park | 82.00 | 83,876 | $89,891 | $347,073 |
| 100 | Maplewood | 82.57 | 40,695 | $91,394 | $342,804 |
Source: U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024. 111 suburbs within 30 miles of Minneapolis.
Summary
Summary: Welcome to the Best Minneapolis ‘Burbs of 2026
We said it once, and we’ll say it again–life in the big city isn’t for everyone. At least not all the time.
The best suburbs of Minneapolis are Deephaven, Victoria, Greenfield, Independence, Hanover, Mendota Heights, Plymouth, Elko New Market, Albertville, and Wayzata.
So if you’re craving the amenities of a larger city like Minneapolis but don’t want to deal with the drawbacks, one of these suburbs might be for you. Not sold on Minnesota? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Best Suburbs Of Minneapolis FAQs
What is the best suburb of Minneapolis?
Deephaven is the best suburb of Minneapolis for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. Victoria and Greenfield are next.
What are the best suburbs of Minneapolis?
The best suburbs of Minneapolis are Deephaven, Victoria, Greenfield, Independence, Hanover, Mendota Heights, Plymouth, Elko New Market, Albertville, and Wayzata. We ranked all 111 places within commuting range.
How expensive is Deephaven?
The median household income in Deephaven is $197,679 and the median home costs $1,062,991. Top suburbs rarely come cheap; that is part of how they got there.
What counts as a suburb of Minneapolis?
Any place within 30 miles of Minneapolis qualifies. 111 towns fit that circle, and every one of them got scored.
How do you rank Minneapolis suburbs?
Each suburb is scored on income, home values, density, unemployment, education, insurance coverage, and poverty, using Census American Community Survey data. The best combined score, Deephaven, takes the crown.
