Living in Minneapolis, MN
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Minneapolis, MN? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Minneapolis, MN

Residents can enjoy the good life when living in Minneapolis, MN, where they have easy access to lakes and museums, plus professional sports teams to root for and a nearby mall so big it has its own area code. (Mall of America is 5.6 million square feet, giving new meaning to the phrase “shop ’til you drop!”). All those amenities and many more, like a thriving arts and culture scene and cosmopolitan restaurants, make Minneapolis a great place to live. 

Minnesota invests heavily in its arts, and this city is a testament to that commitment, with art museums, galleries and colorful outdoor murals throughout the city. That creative connection is displayed throughout the city as evidenced by the huge number of theater seats per capita, reflecting the city’s lively performing arts community. It’s also home to one of the country’s first-ever sculpture gardens (and it’s free!). 

With more than 430,000 residents, Minneapolis is a major metro. However, groups like “In Sisterhood, We Brunch,” which uplifts Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) women, help create a sense of community among residents. Minneapolis is known for welcoming immigrants and refugees, and the city’s melting pot of cultures is reflected in its culinary scene. Get a good taste of foods from around the world at Midtown Global Market, where you’ll find street foods from India and Nepal, flavors from Morocco, arepas, sushi and the Indigenous Food Lab, which focuses on education and food. 

Minnesota also prioritizes health care, and Twin Cities hospitals are highly rated. More than 750 health and life science companies are in the region.

Ready to move to the Twin Cities? Consider a Jucy Lucy burger, summer lake days and biking along the Midtown Greenway all to be rites of passage for new residents.

Minneapolis is a vibrant city in east-central Minnesota, known as the “City of Lakes,” with over 20 lakes within its borders. It’s accessible via major highways like Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 169. The nearest airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is just 10 miles south, offering flights worldwide. When you’re ready to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:  

• St. Paul is just 10 miles east, home of the Minnesota State Capitol, the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Xcel Energy Center.  
• Duluth is roughly 155 miles north, where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Superior, the Duluth Harbor and the Aerial Lift Bridge.  
• Rochester sits 85 miles southeast, boasting the Mayo Clinic, the Olmsted County History Center and the Rochester Art Center. 

Hold onto your hats, folks, because Minneapolis has some serious weather variety! You’ll experience hot, humid summers perfect for lake days and frigid, snowy winters that’ll have you bundling up. In fact, the city has the coldest average temperature of any major metro in the nation. But don’t worry, even with all that cold, they get plenty of sunshine in the winter. Rain is plentiful, and thunderstorms are common in spring, summer and fall.

Business is booming, Minneapolis! The area has several Fortune 500 companies, and the city is a major economic center in the Midwest. Health care, education and professional, scientific and technical services are significant industries here. In addition, several major companies have headquarters here, including Target Corporation, Ameriprise Financial, U.S. Bancorp, General Mills and Xcel Energy. 

The cost of living in Minneapolis is generally lower than the national average. The median home value in Minneapolis is $361,884, and the average household income is $118,800. 

Minnesota residents pay a state income tax, and local residents can expect a 9.03% sales tax rate in 2025.

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Did you know that Prince is from Minneapolis? The Purple Rain singer was loyal to his Midwest roots, and in the years before his death, he lived full time at his home and studio, Paisley Park, in a suburb just 20 miles from downtown Minneapolis. You can even take a tour of his favorite destinations around town.

Minneapolis has a mixture of cultures, fun and experiences, making it a great place to live. The city’s vibrant arts scene features renowned institutions like the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, alongside a thriving theater community anchored by the Guthrie Theater. For family-friendly fun, there’s the Minnesota Children’s Museum, which provides interactive exhibits, and outdoor spaces like the Walker Art Center’s Open Field, which offers room to play and explore.

Beyond its cultural and family-oriented attractions, the city boasts unique experiences like the Mill City Farmers Market, offering local produce and artisan goods, and the Lyndale Avenue area, known for its independent boutiques. The city also hosts various events and festivals, and its parks, such as Pullen Park and James Madison Park, are popular community gathering spaces.

Outdoor activities are a way of life here. The city sits on the banks of the Mississippi River, with a mix of flat and hilly terrain, perfect for biking, hiking and water sports. It’s known as the “City of Lakes,” and 98% of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. With nearly two dozen lakes and plentiful parks, like Chain of Lakes Regional Park and Minnehaha Park, there are endless opportunities for year-round recreation. In the summer, boating, kayaking, swimming and biking are popular pursuits, and in the winter, the city transforms into a playground for ice skating, cross-country skiing and hockey. Kayak the Mississippi and get great views from the Stone Arch Bridge. The city’s commitment to green spaces is evident in its many parks, such as Lake Nokomis and Theodore Wirth Park, which offer playgrounds, hiking trails and recreational facilities.

Mealtime is a breeze when you have as many options as people do in Minneapolis. The city boasts a vibrant and eclectic food scene, blending traditional Midwestern flavors with a rich tapestry of international cuisines and innovative culinary experiences. The city’s commitment to farm-to-table dining is evident in restaurants that emphasize locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, while diverse neighborhoods contribute to a global culinary landscape, offering everything from Ethiopian and Korean to Vietnamese cuisine. Food halls like Midtown Global Market showcase this variety, providing a hub for diverse food vendors.

Beyond restaurants, Minneapolis has a thriving craft beer scene, with breweries offering locally brewed beers that complement the city’s diverse food offerings. Iconic local dishes, like the Jucy Lucy and walleye, are must-tries, and the city’s cafes and bakeries provide delightful pastries and brunch options. The ever-evolving food scene also includes trendy pop-ups, food trucks and farmers markets, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting to discover.

Minneapolis Public Schools is one of the state’s most diverse districts; nearly 30,000 students are enrolled. The district’s 17:1 student-to-teacher ratio allows for more individualized learning, and though performance varies from school to school, overall, it’s quality education. In terms of private schools, the city is home to several religious, independent and college prep programs. Minnehaha Academy, Breck School and DeLaSalle High School are three of the best private schools in the state.