When considering the perfect place to retire in Minnesota, several key factors come into play that can significantly impact your quality of life. We’ve analyzed communities across the state based on five essential criteria: Overall Retirement Score, Walkability, Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities), Vibrant Score, and Transit-Friendly metrics. These elements collectively paint a comprehensive picture of what makes a town ideal for your retirement years.
Every score presented in this ranking is based on extensive real-world data collection and surveys from residents who experience these communities daily. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Minnesota’s best towns for retirees. The Overall Retirement Score encompasses numerous variables including healthcare access, safety, community engagement opportunities, and many other factors crucial for retirees.
Here’s the list.
19. St. Paul Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 81.76
- Walkability: 85.67
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 87.32
- Vibrant Score: 84.56
- Transit-Friendly: 82.34
About St. Paul
St. Paul offers a retirement experience characterized by very good retirement amenities with some standout features. With a median home price of $299,000, St. Paul presents a relatively affordable housing market while providing a lifestyle that balances cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation.
18. Chanhassen Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 82.12
- Walkability: 57.32
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 69.43
- Vibrant Score: 67.21
- Transit-Friendly: 52.67
About Chanhassen
Chanhassen offers a retirement experience characterized by very good retirement amenities with some standout features. With a median home price of $485,000, Chanhassen offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
17. Shakopee Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 82.65
- Walkability: 59.43
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 67.89
- Vibrant Score: 68.54
- Transit-Friendly: 54.32
About Shakopee
Shakopee offers a retirement experience characterized by very good retirement amenities with some standout features. With a median home price of $365,000, Shakopee provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
16. Northfield Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 83.21
- Walkability: 67.89
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 74.56
- Vibrant Score: 69.32
- Transit-Friendly: 56.78
About Northfield
Northfield offers a retirement experience characterized by very good retirement amenities with some standout features. With a median home price of $335,000, Northfield provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
15. Roseville Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 83.76
- Walkability: 72.54
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 76.43
- Vibrant Score: 73.21
- Transit-Friendly: 67.45
About Roseville
Roseville offers a retirement experience characterized by very good retirement amenities with some standout features. With a median home price of $350,000, Roseville provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
14. White Bear Lake Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 84.32
- Walkability: 69.87
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 72.54
- Vibrant Score: 71.23
- Transit-Friendly: 61.23
About White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake offers a retirement experience characterized by very good retirement amenities with some standout features. With a median home price of $375,000, White Bear Lake provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
13. Stillwater Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 84.87
- Walkability: 71.32
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 75.67
- Vibrant Score: 72.43
- Transit-Friendly: 59.87
About Stillwater
Stillwater offers a retirement experience characterized by very good retirement amenities with some standout features. With a median home price of $425,000, Stillwater offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
12. Rochester Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 85.32
- Walkability: 73.45
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 80.32
- Vibrant Score: 76.54
- Transit-Friendly: 68.92
About Rochester
Rochester offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $349,000, Rochester provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation.
11. Lakeville Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 85.76
- Walkability: 58.67
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 68.92
- Vibrant Score: 67.54
- Transit-Friendly: 55.32
About Lakeville
Lakeville offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $415,000, Lakeville offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
10. Wayzata Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 86.54
- Walkability: 72.43
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 81.32
- Vibrant Score: 73.67
- Transit-Friendly: 67.54
About Wayzata
Wayzata offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $625,000, Wayzata represents a premium housing market while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
9. Eagan Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 86.89
- Walkability: 63.78
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 73.21
- Vibrant Score: 71.43
- Transit-Friendly: 62.89
About Eagan
Eagan offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $395,000, Eagan provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
8. St. Louis Park Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 87.45
- Walkability: 78.91
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 83.45
- Vibrant Score: 80.12
- Transit-Friendly: 76.54
About St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $385,000, St. Louis Park provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation.
7. Maple Grove Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 87.92
- Walkability: 61.54
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 74.32
- Vibrant Score: 72.65
- Transit-Friendly: 60.45
About Maple Grove
Maple Grove offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $410,000, Maple Grove offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
6. Eden Prairie Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 88.76
- Walkability: 64.32
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 77.89
- Vibrant Score: 75.43
- Transit-Friendly: 63.21
About Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $460,000, Eden Prairie offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
5. Woodbury Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 89.34
- Walkability: 62.45
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 76.32
- Vibrant Score: 74.56
- Transit-Friendly: 61.78
About Woodbury
Woodbury offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $425,000, Woodbury offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
4. Minnetonka Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 89.92
- Walkability: 65.78
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 79.43
- Vibrant Score: 72.67
- Transit-Friendly: 65.32
About Minnetonka
Minnetonka offers a retirement experience characterized by excellent retirement amenities with notable strengths in most areas. With a median home price of $450,000, Minnetonka offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
3. Bloomington Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 90.67
- Walkability: 75.67
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 82.91
- Vibrant Score: 79.32
- Transit-Friendly: 77.54
About Bloomington
Bloomington offers a retirement experience characterized by exceptional retirement amenities across all measured categories. With a median home price of $379,000, Bloomington provides moderately priced housing while providing a lifestyle that balances cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation.
2. Plymouth Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 91.78
- Walkability: 70.35
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 78.42
- Vibrant Score: 76.23
- Transit-Friendly: 68.91
About Plymouth
Plymouth offers a retirement experience characterized by exceptional retirement amenities across all measured categories. With a median home price of $475,000, Plymouth offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
1. Edina Home Prices Chart
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 92.45
- Walkability: 76.21
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 85.67
- Vibrant Score: 82.54
- Transit-Friendly: 79.12
About Edina
Edina offers a retirement experience characterized by exceptional retirement amenities across all measured categories. With a median home price of $498,000, Edina offers upper-middle range housing options while providing a lifestyle that balances tranquility and relaxation with sufficient amenities.
Definition of terms:
- Overall Retirement Score: A comprehensive metric that evaluates a town’s overall suitability for retirees, incorporating factors such as healthcare access, safety, recreation opportunities, senior services, and community engagement.
- Walkability: Measures how pedestrian-friendly a community is, considering sidewalks, crosswalks, proximity of essential services, and ease of getting around without a vehicle – particularly important for active seniors who value independence.
- Urban Sophistication: Evaluates the cultural amenities available, including museums, theaters, educational opportunities, fine dining, and other enrichment activities that contribute to a intellectually stimulating retirement.
- Vibrant Score: Assesses the energy and liveliness of a community, including social opportunities, events, and overall community engagement – essential for retirees looking to maintain an active social life.
- Transit-Friendly: Rates the quality and availability of public transportation options, which is crucial for maintaining mobility and independence when driving is no longer preferred or possible.
References:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
- Minnesota Association of Realtors https://www.mnrealtor.com/
- Zillow Minnesota Home Values https://www.zillow.com/mn/home-values/
- Redfin Minnesota Housing Market https://www.redfin.com/state/Minnesota/housing-market
- Minnesota Department of Revenue Property Tax Statistics https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/
