2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Minneapolis

Minnesota (MN)

Best for: Cyclists, professionals and families who value parks, healthcare, culture and highly functional urban living.

2027 CITY CLASSLarge City300,000–999,999 residents

Modern Livability85.8/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population430,324

Median Home$337,400

Median Rent$1,317

Median Household Income$80,600

Cost of Living~105.0 (US=100; 2024 metro/region)

Average Commute22.5 min

Unemployment~4.0% metro (2026)

Metro AreaMinneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

85.8overall

Housing & Financial Reality82.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living88.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability62.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity92.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness95.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place92.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion95.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape96.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging94.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment48.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture97.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity93.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionLow to moderate. Short commutes and manageable traffic are meaningful quality-of-life strengths.

Weekend EscapeOutstanding. Beaches, mountains, desert, forests or major recreation are close enough to make spontaneous escapes realistic.

WalkabilityAbout 71/100 citywide Walk Score. Walkability is a major strength, especially in the urban core and established neighborhoods.

Airport AccessExcellent to exceptional. The metro offers strong domestic connectivity and practical airport access.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Natural assets, trails, water or mountain access are close enough to shape everyday life rather than occasional recreation.

Healthcare AccessExceptional. Major academic or specialty medical systems provide unusually deep healthcare access.

Air QualityGenerally favorable for a city of this scale, although seasonal smoke, ozone or weather patterns can create episodic unhealthy periods.

Third Places / Social LifeExceptional. Restaurants, cafés, parks, arts, events and distinctive neighborhood districts create a deep network of places to gather outside home and work.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Minneapolis stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for parks and lakes; biking; healthcare; jobs; arts; affordability relative to coastal peers. The score balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure. Its biggest tradeoffs are severe winter; safety concerns in selected areas; taxes.

REAL LIFE