10 Minnesota Cities Among the Top Places to Live in the US for 2025-26

A few times a year, different studies come out showing off the best places to live in the US. These could be the best places to live because of affordability, safety, or just in general.

Today, we're talking about the latest results from US News and World Report. They came out with their 2025-2026 list of the 250 best places to live in the entire country. And making the list this year are 10 Minnesota cities!

Yeah, double digits!

ALSO READ: Minnesota Lakeside Retreats at 8 Beautiful Airbnbs

Why Are These Cities the Best Places to Live?

In order to determine this ranking, US News and World Report looked at many, many cities across the country.

friends laughing and laying on a blanket

To make the top 250, a city had to have:

• good value
• be a desirable place to live
• have a strong job market
• a high quality of life

Yeah, if a city has all of those things, that sounds like a pretty great place to me.

Get our free mobile app

No Minnesota cities made the top 10, unfortunately. We have one that made the top 20, though! Five made the top 100, and three landed between spots 100 and 200.

Let's take a peek at the cities in Minnesota that are some of the best places to live in the US!

ALSO READ: Where to Find Minnesota's 'Last True Wilderness'

a family posing for a selfie in a park

Best Places to Live in Minnesota According to US News and World Report

237. Duluth

aerial view of duluth, mn

215. Bloomington

aerial view of bloomington, mn

188. Blaine

Google Maps / Canva

118. Mankato

street view of mankato, mn

116. Eagan

aerial view of eagan, mn

72. Rochester

a view of downtown rochester, mn at night

54. Woodbury

aerial view of woodbury, mn

46. Eden Prairie

aerial view of eden prairie, mn

40. Maple Grove

aerial view of maple grove, mn

17. Plymouth

aerial view of plymouth, mn