The 10 Best Minneapolis Suburbs To Live In For 2022


We analyzed over 110 places around Minneapolis to identify the most in demand places to live.

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Editor’s Note: Data has been updated for 2022. This is our ninth time ranking the best Minneapolis suburbs.

Big city living isn't for everyone--but at the same time, urban areas certainly have their perks.

There's the culture, the food, the arts, the food, the energy, and you know, the food. But there are drawbacks. There's traffic, expensive parking, expensive housing--pretty much, expensive everything, depending on which big city you're looking at.

But that's where the suburbs come in--they have all of the benefits of being near big cities, without actually having to be big cities.

Of course, not all suburbs of Minneapolis are created equally, which is precisely why we set out to find the best ones. So without further ado...

Here are the 10 best suburbs to live around Minneapolis for 2022:

  1. North Oaks
  2. Deephaven
  3. Independence
  4. North Hudson
  5. Rogers
  6. Chanhassen
  7. Medina
  8. Elko New Market
  9. Mendota Heights
  10. Orono

What's the best suburb of Minneapolis? North Oaks ranks as the best suburb of Minneapolis for 2022 based on the most recent Census and FBI data. If you happen to be a resident of North Oaks, you're probably not too surprised to find it on the top our list.

We'll tell you what makes each of these 10 Minneapolis 'burbs better than the rest--but first, a bit about our methodology.

Note: 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 larger selection of suburbs.

Feel free to check out some more reading about Minnesota:

The 10 Best Minneapolis Suburbs To Live For 2022

North Oaks is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Minneapolis area. We'll tell you the good about "Awesome North Oaks."

Everyone here is rich; families average $210,370 a year, which is the highest in the Minneapolis region. And only 0.6% are out of work. Homes average more than $672,600 each.

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 5,244
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Income: $210,370
Unemployment Rate: 0.6%
Poverty Rate: 2.5%
More on North Oaks: Real Estate | Data | Photos

North Oaks, MN

Deephaven is the second best 'burb we looked at near Minneapolis for 2022.

It ranks 12th for incomes in the area and only 1.39% of residents lack insurance, good for 10th best.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 3,904
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Median Income: $132,813
Unemployment Rate: 0.5%
Poverty Rate: 3.2%
More on Deephaven: Real Estate | Data

Here in Independence, 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 Independence.

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,778
Rank Last Year: 16 (Up 13)
Median Income: $180,357
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
Poverty Rate: 1.6%
More on Independence: Real Estate | Data

North Hudson ranks as the 4th best suburb of Minneapolis for 2022.

You won't find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in North Hudson and the schools are some of the best around.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 3,819
Rank Last Year: 18 (Up 14)
Median Income: $108,500
Unemployment Rate: 0.2%
Poverty Rate: 2.8%
More on North Hudson: Real Estate | Data

Coming in as the fifth best is Rogers.

Rogers gets kudos for having the 25th most expensive homes in the Minneapolis area, where houses sell for an average of $357,900. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 13,183
Rank Last Year: 12 (Up 7)
Median Income: $133,988
Unemployment Rate: 1.2%
Poverty Rate: 2.0%
More on Rogers: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Rogers, MN

Chanhassen 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 2.43% which is 43rd best in the area.

According to online reports, Chanhassen is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Minneapolis area, meaning you need to get in soon.

Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 25,965
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 2)
Median Income: $124,184
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
Poverty Rate: 2.9%
More on Chanhassen: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Chanhassen, MN

The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Medina.

Medina 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 15.8 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 6,549
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 4)
Median Income: $156,563
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
Poverty Rate: 3.3%
More on Medina: Real Estate | Data

Medina, MN

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 4.26% of people lack insurance, good for 76th in the area.

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 4,715
Rank Last Year: 21 (Up 13)
Median Income: $133,333
Unemployment Rate: 0.8%
Poverty Rate: 0.4%
More on Elko New Market: Real Estate | Data

Is 'Everything Better In Mendota Heights?'

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.

Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 11,339
Rank Last Year: 10 (Up 1)
Median Income: $119,347
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
Poverty Rate: 4.2%
More on Mendota Heights: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Mendota Heights, MN

And rounding out the top ten for 2022 is Orono.

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.

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 8,217
Rank Last Year: 17 (Up 7)
Median Income: $169,557
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
Poverty Rate: 4.8%
More on Orono: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Orono, MN

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Suburbs Around Minneapolis for 2022

Figuring out the best suburbs around Minneapolis was pretty simple; we just needed to list several things that people like, and then find out which cities have the most of those things.

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible:

  • 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

Then we used the newest American Community Survey data for 2016-2020 to research each suburb.

FYI: 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 113 suburbs to evaluate around Minneapolis.

We ranked each place with scores from 1 to 113 in each category, where 1 was the "best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each place to create a quality of life index.

And finally, we crowned the city with the best quality of life index the "Best Suburb near Minneapolis." We're lookin' at you, North Oaks. You can download the data here.

Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best of the best. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the suburbs ranked from best to worst.

Summary: Welcome to the Best Minneapolis 'Burbs of 2022

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.

So if you're hankering for some of the amenities of a larger city like Minneapolis, but don't want to deal with the drawbacks, one of these suburbs might just be for you.

For more Minnesota reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Minneapolis Suburbs

Rank City Population Median Income
1 North Oaks, MN 5,244 $210,370
2 Deephaven, MN 3,904 $132,813
3 Independence, MN 3,778 $180,357
4 North Hudson, MN 3,819 $108,500
5 Rogers, MN 13,183 $133,988
6 Chanhassen, MN 25,965 $124,184
7 Medina, MN 6,549 $156,563
8 Elko New Market, MN 4,715 $133,333
9 Mendota Heights, MN 11,339 $119,347
10 Orono, MN 8,217 $169,557
11 Edina, MN 52,215 $108,576
12 Shorewood, MN 7,939 $146,029
13 Waconia, MN 12,281 $100,583
14 Victoria, MN 9,787 $166,477
15 Scandia, MN 4,135 $84,741
16 Plymouth, MN 78,879 $112,631
17 Lake Elmo, MN 9,071 $145,433
18 Delano, MN 6,167 $101,845
19 Mahtomedi, MN 8,232 $112,105
20 Minnetonka, MN 53,760 $100,363
21 Hanover, MN 3,414 $116,458
22 Maple Grove, MN 71,569 $113,793
23 Lakeville, MN 65,710 $112,020
24 Greenfield, MN 3,013 $123,817
25 Lino Lakes, MN 21,748 $107,647
26 Andover, MN 33,019 $112,967
27 Wayzata, MN 4,591 $88,431
28 Shoreview, MN 26,922 $97,633
29 Grant, MN 4,106 $115,850
30 Prior Lake, MN 26,775 $108,481
31 Cologne, MN 2,199 $99,514
32 Afton, MN 3,008 $109,387
33 St. Anthony, MN 9,035 $85,469
34 Eden Prairie, MN 64,481 $115,227
35 Columbus, MN 4,109 $93,892
36 St. Michael, MN 17,871 $109,487
37 Mound, MN 9,498 $75,542
38 Rosemount, MN 24,792 $110,573
39 St. Louis Park, MN 48,874 $84,694
40 Ham Lake, MN 16,630 $99,736
41 Spring Park, MN 2,136 $48,661
42 Cottage Grove, MN 37,120 $102,600
43 Hugo, MN 15,008 $92,032
44 Stillwater, MN 19,471 $91,947
45 Albertville, MN 7,483 $73,913
46 Woodbury, MN 71,298 $108,055
47 St. Bonifacius, MN 2,017 $95,750
48 Minnetrista, MN 7,989 $144,188
49 Corcoran, MN 6,113 $138,848
50 Champlin, MN 24,980 $96,469
51 Watertown, MN 4,473 $94,922
52 Carver, MN 5,438 $109,589
53 Excelsior, MN 2,414 $80,750
54 Savage, MN 31,758 $116,895
55 Otsego, MN 17,429 $110,833
56 Golden Valley, MN 21,611 $97,783
57 Nowthen, MN 4,715 $124,492
58 Oak Grove, MN 8,819 $107,112
59 Centerville, MN 4,006 $110,341
60 Chaska, MN 26,753 $90,161
61 Farmington, MN 22,996 $95,326
62 Hastings, MN 22,796 $75,026
63 Wyoming, MN 7,976 $88,876
64 Apple Valley, MN 53,728 $90,162
65 Oak Park Heights, MN 4,914 $71,140
66 Eagan, MN 66,377 $93,332
67 Circle Pines, MN 4,951 $84,550
68 Dayton, MN 6,258 $112,557
69 Prescott, MN 4,278 $67,491
70 Falcon Heights, MN 5,586 $72,616
71 Ramsey, MN 27,201 $97,779
72 East Bethel, MN 11,958 $90,809
73 Hudson, MN 13,912 $74,207
74 Arden Hills, MN 10,276 $105,664
75 Elk River, MN 24,894 $87,755
76 Roseville, MN 36,139 $74,571
77 Bayport, MN 3,758 $87,986
78 White Bear Lake, MN 25,718 $70,981
79 Vadnais Heights, MN 13,565 $81,643
80 Jordan, MN 6,289 $89,125
81 New Brighton, MN 22,663 $75,099
82 Blaine, MN 65,048 $86,796
83 Shakopee, MN 41,423 $90,642
84 Robbinsdale, MN 14,393 $73,510
85 Coon Rapids, MN 62,706 $76,169
86 Crystal, MN 22,937 $70,724
87 St. Paul Park, MN 5,404 $84,167
88 Bloomington, MN 85,226 $78,224
89 Spring Lake Park, MN 6,582 $71,958
90 Burnsville, MN 61,536 $76,017
91 Osseo, MN 2,738 $54,636
92 North St. Paul, MN 12,421 $67,595
93 Forest Lake, MN 20,393 $84,436
94 Rockford, MN 4,481 $73,649
95 Inver Grove Heights, MN 35,492 $83,155
96 Lauderdale, MN 2,624 $65,578
97 Hopkins, MN 18,400 $59,141
98 Mounds View, MN 13,193 $73,243
99 Brooklyn Park, MN 80,173 $73,207
100 Little Canada, MN 10,423 $55,893

How Is Your Town In ?

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.