Many people are moving to Minnesota to enjoy the quality of life that Minnesota offers and take advantage of the family friendly communities and great outdoor activities that Minnesota is known for. But as the cost of living is rising everywhere both local buyers and new residents are interested in getting the most bang for their buck when it comes to buying a new home. If you are looking for the most affordable places in Minnesota to move to they are:
Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake is a small community of just 21,000 people that’s about 25 minutes north of Minneapolis and St. Paul. One of the best things about Forest Lake is that it actually has five different lakes nearby: Forest Lake, Clear Lake, Shields Lake, Twin Lake, and Cranberry Lake. The median home price in Forest Lake is $338,000 and the median income is $71,000. It’s got a thriving downtown and an artsy vibe but also has all the amenities of a small community at a great price.
Buffalo, Minnesota
Buffalo is a little bit of a commute from the Twin Cities. It’s 42 minutes west-northwest of Minneapolis. It’s one of the smaller communities in the area with just 15,000 people. If you enjoy rural living and don’t want a lot of neighbors Buffalo is a great choice. The median home price is $330,000 and the median income is $61,000. Even though the area is rural and sits right on Buffalo Lake and is near Lake Pulaski it’s just 10 minutes from Highway 94 so getting to and from other places is easy.
Zimmerman, Minnesota
Zimmerman is about 40 minutes north-northwest of Minneapolis. With just 6,000 people Zimmerman is the place for people who really want to get away from it all. There aren’t a lot of people but there is a lot to do in and around Zimmerman. The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is nearby and there are fantastic trails for hiking and snowmobiling. Zimmerman is also a great stop for people who have cabins up north. Even though the town is small it is ranked number 2 in education in Sherburne County so it’s a great place for families.
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
White Bear Lake is just 12 minutes north of Saint Paul but it only has a population of about 25,000 people. Median home price in White Bear Lake is just $315,000 and the median income is $61,000.
Belle Plaine, Minnesota
Belle Plaine is 40 minutes southwest of Minneapolis and has only about 7,000 people. There’s a lot of new development going on in this little town that borders the Minnesota River. The median home price is $313,000 and median income is $70,000. This area will take off in the next few years so now is a good time to buy a home there.
Other Affordable Places To Live In Minnesota:
Some other affordable communities to explore in Minnesota are Monticello, Maplewood, and Oakdale. But the two most affordable communities for home buyers in Minnesota are:
Crystal, Minnesota
Crystal is just 12 minutes from downtown Minneapolis so it’s fantastic if you are working in downtown or near downtown. The population is about 22,500 people. The median home price is just $285,000 and the median household income is $59,000. Crystal sits right between highways 169 and 100 so you can get anywhere in the Twin Cities metro region easily. It even has its own airport. If you are looking for a new home that’s close to downtown but doesn’t have a downtown price Crystal is worth a look.
St. Paul, Minnesota
You may be surprised to find that St. Paul is the most affordable place in Minnesota to live. With access to all that the Twin Cities metro area has to offer you can still find a good house for around $280,000. With a median income of $57,000 the area you can find people from all walks of life making St. Paul a vibrant community.