The 18 Most Expensive Small Towns in Minnesota

When you think about what towns you assume are some of the most expensive places you live you probably think of the big cities right away. Minneapolis, New York City, Miami, places like that.

But actually, some of the most expensive places to live in Minnesota, specifically, are small towns. I guess that could be because not many people can afford to live there.

ALSO READ: MN's Hardest Town Name to Spell is a Place You've Never Heard Of

This data comes from Stacker, where they ranked Minnesota towns based on the typical home value to determine which ones are the most expensive places to live.

I then did a bit more digging myself to see the population size of each of these towns. All of the towns in my final list have populations of less than 10,000.

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Many of these towns I had never heard of but once I saw the general area where they're located it makes a lot of sense. For example, some of these towns are around Lake Minnetonka, which is known for having insanely expensive mansions.

Let's get into it!

The Most Expensive Small Towns in Minnesota

18. East Gull Lake

With a population of 1,120, East Gull Lake comes in as the 18th most expensive small town in Minnesota. Their typical home value is $642,094. East Gull Lake is located up by Brainerd.

17. Afton

Afton is the 17th most expensive small town. They have a population of 2,941 and a typical home valued at $642,094. Afton is an eastern suburb of St. Paul.

16. Grant

Grant comes in at number 16. They have a population of 3,932 and a typical home value of $666,675. You can find Grant just northeast of St. Paul, right by White Bear Lake and near Stillwater.

15. Lake Shore

With a typical home value of $681,107, Lake Show is number 15. They have a population of 1,121. Lake Shore is in north central Minnesota near Brainerd, but a bit further north than East Gull Lake.

14. Independence

Indemendence comes in at number 14 with a typical home value of $718,245. They have a population of 3,644 and is a western suburb of Minneapolis and north of Lake Minnetonka.

13. Shorewood

Shorewood has a typical home value of $735,008 and a population of 7,526. It's one of the towns along Lake Minnetonka.

12. Excelsior

Also along Lake Minnetonka and coming in at number 12 is Excelsior. They have a typical home value of $773,948 and a population of 2,277.

11. Medina

Medina is number 11 with a typical home value of $776,909 and a population of 7,039. Medina is a western suburb of Minneapolis and north of Lake Minnetonka.

10. Wayzata

Number 10, Wayzata, takes us back to the Lake Minnetonka shoreline. They have a typical home value of $834,804 and a population of 4,284.

9. Dellwood

Dellwood is the 9th most expensive small town. They have a typical home value of $863,655 and a population of 1,149. They're a northeast suburb of St. Paul on White Bear Lake.

8. North Oaks

Number 8 goes to North Oaks with a typical home value of $879,581 and a population of 5,163. It's a northern suburb of St. Paul near Dellwood.

7. Deephaven

Back at Lake Minnetonka is number 7, Deephaven. They have a typical home value of $955,720 and a population of 3,740.

6. Orono

Bringing us into the million-dollar bracket is Orono. It's not technically on Lake Minnetonka but it's very close. They have a typical home value of $1,028,785 and a population of 8,119.

5. Tonka Bay

Tonka Bay, surprise, surprise, is on Lake Minnetonka. They have a typical home value of $1,037,432 and a population of 1,539.

4. Sunfish Lake

Leaving the Lake Minnetonka area (for now), Sunfish Lake comes in at number 5 with a typical home value of $1,101,266 and a population of just 515. It's a southern suburb of St. Paul near Inver Grove Heights.

3. Greenwood

Guess where Greenwood is. Yep, on Lake Minnetonka! They have a typical home value of $1,494,302 and a population of 702.

2. Woodland

Woodland is also on Lake Minnetonka and has a typical home value of $1,662,132. They have a population of just 382.

1. Minnetonka Beach

The top spot for the most expensive small town in Minnesota is none other than Minnetonka Beach. They have a typical home value of a whopping $2,005,628 and a population of 536.