The Brief
- Livability ranked 50 small cities in the U.S. based on different livability metrics.
- Two cities in Minnesota made the top 50 on the list.
- The list factored in components such as affordability, housing, transportation, health, safety, and more.
MINNEAPOLIS – Livability compiled a list of the 50 best small cities in the U.S., and two Minnesota cities have made the cut. The quality of life website measured several data points to score the town’s livability based on health, economy, safety, environment, transportation, education, housing, and amenities.
Minnetonka
Local perspective:
The highest-ranking best small city in Minnesota on the list was Minnetonka. The city came in at 22nd with a LivScore of 774 out of 1,000. This Twin Cities suburb was praised for its community features, quiet bays along the lake, regional trails, top-ranked school systems, and having access to major corporate headquarters for work.
Minnetonka scored the highest for its performance in health, education, and safety. Here are some other scores the small city received on a score out of 100:
- Amenities: 71
- Economy: 74
- Education: 85
- Enviornment: 42
- Health: 97
- Housing & Cost of Living: 69
- Safety: 84
- Transportation: 70
Livability also listed top reasons they would recommend for moving to Minnetonka.
- Easy commuting to the Twin Cities, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and connections to the Southwest Rail Transit extension.
- Booming business with peaceful natural surroundings, as the city houses the world headquarters of Cargill, UnitedHealth Group operations, and corporate offices for other sectors.
- Embracing the water and outdoors: The city sits on the shores of Lake Minnetonka and has access to swimming beaches, kayaking, hiking, dog parks, and more.
- Shopping and dining: The city offers a myriad of options to go shopping and try different food and drinks right in town. It also has an outdoor amphitheater with different seasonal events.
- Good schools: Families might be drawn to the area by Minnetonka’s education system, which performs well.
Some quick facts Livability listed about Minnetonka include:
- Median home value: $432,864
- Median Property Tax: $4,272
- Population: 53,720
- Average commute: 19 minutes
- Median household income: $115,502
- Median monthly rent: $1,416
Eden Prairie
By the numbers:…