1 MN City Makes ‘Best Places To Live ’ List, U.S. News Says

MINNESOTA — Minneapolis is among the top 150 places to live in America, according to a new ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The City of Lakes ranked no. 94.

"Minneapolis has big-city amenities like museums and sports stadiums and an approachable Midwestern feel," the report states.

"Bordered by the Mississippi River, Minneapolis features a cosmopolitan downtown core surrounded by distinctive neighborhoods and suburban communities."

The cost of living in Minneapolis is 1 percent lower than the national average, with housing costing 8 percent less and transportation costing 4 percent more.

Minneapolis Stats

• Metro Population: 431,978
• Median Home Price: $343,304
• Median Monthly Rent: $1,401
• Median Age: 34 years old
• Median Household Income: $83,544
• Unemployment Rate: 6.29 percent

U.S. News said Naples, Florida, topped the list due to its strong job market and high quality of life.

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A change in data collection, including a shift from metropolitan area-based data to city-based data — brought some new appearances in the top 25 from the Midwest and South.

“The incorporation of city-based data further localizes the Best Places to Live rankings, empowering those looking for a place to call home to consider factors directly impacting the livability and overall experiences associated with a given place,” Erika Giovanetti, a loans expert and reporter for U.S. News, said in a news release.

The top 10 places to live in the United States, according to the U.S. News methodology, are:

1. Naples, Florida
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
4. Greenville, South Carolina
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
6. Raleigh, North Carolina
7. Huntsville, Alabama
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
9. Austin, Texas
10. Boulder, Colorado

This year, U.S. News also adjusted its scoring weights for stronger considerations of a city’s value and job market.

“Rising concerns about career prospects, housing affordability and increased cost of goods and services are reflected in this year’s rankings,” Giovanetti said. “While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans, a city’s value and job market are becoming increasingly important for those looking for a place to live.”

U.S. News takes into consideration the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. The measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of people to find out what qualities they think are important in deciding where to live.

The 2024-2025 Best Places to Live were determined based on a methodology that takes into account the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. These measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. to find what qualities they consider important in a place to live.

Data and information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Sharecare, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other U.S. News rankings were also used in the rankings.

Check out the entire report here.