4 Minnesota Cities Are Now On ‘Top 100 Places To Live’ List

We've always suspected that Minnesota was a great place to live and now a new national list confirms it.

Living here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we're often proud (and rightfully so) of how well our state does on various national surveys that measure our quality of life. We're used to the quality of education, access to healthcare, and natural beauty of our state, all being near the top of many national lists, right?

And so it is with this latest list from Livability that ranks the Top 100 Places To Live in the U.S. It's a list Livability has been publishing every year for over a decade now. Their 2024 list, released earlier this year, includes four different Minnesota cities.

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Just how did Livability put together these rankings, you might be asking? According to their survey, they looked at many different categories:

We curate our Top 100 Best Places To Live in the U.S. based on nearly 100 data points and an algorithm that takes into account measures of a city’s economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health.

So, here are the four Minnesota cities that made Livability Top 100 Places to Live in the U.S. list this year:

Liveability ranked Bloomington, home of the Mall of America, 803 out of 1,000 points, the highest of any Minnesota city on the list. Here's what Livability had to say about Minnesota's fifth-largest city:

Bloomington's location in the Twin Cities metro area makes it a prime location for young families and professionals. Top-notch schools, a robust economy and plenty of outdoor activities contribute to Bloomington residents' high-quality, well-rounded lifestyle.

As Minnesota's third-largest city (and largest outside of the metro) Rochester made Liveability's list, scoring 775 out of 1,000. Livability said this about Minnesota's Med City, which is home to the world-famous Mayo Clinic:

Rochester provides a healthy blend of amenities and affordability. Enchanting residents with natural beauty, world-class healthcare and a strong sense of community contribute to the high quality of life Rochester residents have grown accustomed to.

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The largest city on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, Duluth, also made Livability's list this year, scoring 736 out of 1,000 points. Here are the attributes Livability noted about Minnesota's fourth-largest city:

With stunning views of Lake Superior and endless outdoor adventures, Duluth, MN, is the natural home for outdoor enthusiasts. Housing, education, and health care are top priorities for residents, fostering a strong sense of community in this scenic city.

Minnesota's Capital City of St. Paul rounded out the four cities from the Land of 10,000 Lakes that were included on this year's Livability list. Here's how Livability described Minnesota's second-largest city:

Part of the Twin Cities, St. Paul has a vibe that is all its own, full of historic charm, modern amenities, and numerous cultural attractions. Top-notch healthcare facilities, picturesque parks, and a thriving economy make it the perfect place to plant roots.

So congratulations to all four Minnesota cities that landed a spot on the list this year, which just confirms that the Bold North IS a great place to live! Speaking of lists, however, here's one on which many Minnesota cities would likely NOT want to be included: the snobbiest cities in the state. Keep scrolling to see which cities made the list!

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