10 Small Minnesota Cities Among Best in U.S. for 2024

One third of all Americans say they would rather live in a small city or suburb, than in a large city or a rural area. Or as Goldilocks might say, 'not to busy, not to quiet -- this small city is just right.'

The number crunchers at Wallethub recently looked 1,300 small cities across the country, and ranked them based on how the performed in 45 categories. The looked at things like affordability, safety, the economy, health, education, and quality of life.

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Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst says,

While small cities may lack some advantages of big cities, like robust public transportation systems, they make up for these shortcomings in other areas.

Top 10 Small Cities in America for 2024

1. Carmel, Indiana
2. Brookfield, Wisconsin
3. Lexington, Massachusetts
4. Fishers, Indiana
5. Appleton, Wisconsin
6. Apex. North Carolina
7. Brentwood, Tennessee
8. Lancaster, Pennsylvania
9. Bozeman, Montana
10. Westfield, Indiana

That's a pretty good showing for Indiana with three in the top-ten, and Wisconsin right there with two in the top-ten.

Now as we take a look at the best small cities in Minnesota for 2024, to make the cut you had to be among the top ten percent nationally. So, here they are:

Top 10 Small Cities in Minnesota for 2024

1. Woodbury, Minnesota
2. Savage, Minnesota
3. Lakeville, Minnesota
4. Cottage Grove, Minnesota
5. Minnetonka, Minnesota
6. Shakopee, Minnesota
7. Eden Prairie, Minnesota
8. Plymouth, Minnesota
9. Prior Lake, Minnesota
10. Eagan, Minnesota

Just outside of the top ten percent nationally were Maple Grove, Chaska, Ramsey, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Owatonna, and Blaine. They were all in the top twenty percent in the country.