The Best Twin Cities Suburbs to Live In (2026)
Sixteen Minneapolis–St. Paul suburbs compared on schools, commute, housing stock, and what each one is actually like to move into — from a Minnesota moving company that works in all of them every week.
Most "best suburbs" lists rank on statistics you can find anywhere. This one adds the part nobody writes about until move day: how the housing stock, street width, driveway length, and staircase geometry of each suburb change what your move costs and how long it takes.
Each suburb links to a full relocation guide and to our local movers page for that city.
Edina, MN
Edina Public Schools, walkable 50th & France and Southdale districts, and a 15-minute drive to downtown Minneapolis. Housing runs from 1950s ramblers in the 50th & France area to large rebuilds in Country Club and Indian Hills.
Eden Prairie, MN
A job center in its own right along the 494/212 corridor, now on the Green Line extension. Newer housing, wide streets, and the easiest truck access in the metro.
Maple Grove, MN
Arbor Lakes shopping, Elm Creek Park Reserve, and Osseo/Wayzata district options. Mostly 1990s-and-newer construction, so basements and three-car garages hold more than people expect.
Woodbury, MN
The east metro's growth center with South Washington County schools, big new construction, and quick I-94 access to both downtowns and to western Wisconsin.
Plymouth, MN
Large, lake-dotted, and split across four school districts — worth confirming boundaries before you buy. Housing ranges from 1970s splits to executive builds off Vicksburg.
Minnetonka, MN
Tree canopy, ravine lots, and strong schools. Long, curving driveways are common, so a shuttle truck is sometimes part of the plan.
St. Louis Park, MN
The most urban suburb on this list: bike trails, the West End, and light rail coming. Housing is dense and pre-1960, with narrow driveways and tight basement stairs.
Eagan, MN
Corporate campuses, Viking Lakes, and minutes to MSP. Lots of 1980s split-levels, which means multiple short flights rather than one long staircase.
Apple Valley, MN
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan schools, the Minnesota Zoo, and Red Line bus rapid transit — at prices below the southwest metro.
Lakeville, MN
The metro's southern growth edge on I-35, with the newest and largest homes here. Expect big inventories: finished basements plus three-car garages.
Blaine, MN
The National Sports Center, TPC Twin Cities, and steady new construction at prices below comparable southwest-metro homes.
Bloomington, MN
Mall of America, MSP, and the 494 corridor at your doorstep, with affordable postwar ramblers north of Old Shakopee Road.
Chanhassen, MN
Lake Minnewashta, the Arboretum, and a real downtown, with Minnetonka and Eastern Carver school options.
Roseville, MN
Almost exactly between Minneapolis and St. Paul at 35W and 36, with mid-century housing and Rosedale nearby.
Burnsville, MN
At the 35W/35E split with a large townhome and apartment market — the easiest south-metro entry point for renters.
Richfield, MN
Compact, affordable, and closest to the airport. Small 1950s homes with tuck-under garages, which is exactly where crews earn their money.
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