The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Minnesota

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 165 towns of 500–10,000 people in Minnesota. #1 is Benson, MN.

1. 25Rush City, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   Rush City is a city of 3,228 people in Chisago County, Minnesota. It also ranks more walkable than 79% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 77% of Minnesota towns.

   3,228 people · Chisago County · median home $233,100 · income $58,760 · Jan low 1°F · 48 in snow

   Full Rush City, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Bradford, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   Bradford is a township of 3,427 people in Isanti County, Minnesota. The median home is worth $336,800 (typical Minnesota town: $301,800).

   3,427 people · Isanti County · median home $336,800 · income $92,574 · Jan low 4°F · 44 in snow

   Full Bradford, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Litchfield, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   Litchfield is a city of 6,624 people in Meeker County, Minnesota. It also ranks more walkable than 89% of Minnesota towns and more vibrant than 87% of Minnesota towns.

   6,624 people · Meeker County · median home $187,600 · income $54,875 · Jan low 0°F · 43 in snow

   Full Litchfield, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Virginia, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   Virginia is a city of 8,421 people in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It also ranks hipper than 97% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 96% of Minnesota towns.

   8,421 people · St. Louis County · median home $120,600 · income $51,720 · Jan low -1°F · 69 in snow

   Full Virginia, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Osseo, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 84% of Minnesota towns

   Osseo is a city of 2,688 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 99% of Minnesota towns.

   2,688 people · Hennepin County · median home $306,500 · income $62,119 · Jan low 7°F · 54 in snow

   Full Osseo, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Sauk Centre, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 85% of Minnesota towns

   Sauk Centre is a city of 4,555 people in Stearns County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for cycling than 87% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 85% of Minnesota towns.

   4,555 people · Stearns County · median home $225,700 · income $62,628 · Jan low 0°F · 39 in snow

   Full Sauk Centre, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19St. Joseph, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 85% of Minnesota towns

   St. Joseph is a city of 7,029 people in Stearns County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for young professionals than 98% of Minnesota towns and better for cycling than 98% of Minnesota towns.

   7,029 people · Stearns County · median home $237,700 · income $74,946 · Jan low 4°F · 57 in snow

   Full St. Joseph, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 85% of Minnesota towns

   Detroit Lakes is a city of 9,869 people in Becker County, Minnesota. It also ranks hipper than 95% of Minnesota towns and better for cycling than 91% of Minnesota towns.

   9,869 people · Becker County · median home $265,800 · income $62,958 · Jan low -4°F · 48 in snow

   Full Detroit Lakes, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Oak Park Heights, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 87% of Minnesota towns

   Oak Park Heights is a city of 4,849 people in Washington County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for young professionals than 96% of Minnesota towns and hipper than 89% of Minnesota towns.

   4,849 people · Washington County · median home $354,800 · income $82,476 · Jan low 9°F · 47 in snow

   Full Oak Park Heights, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Lindstrom, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 88% of Minnesota towns

    Lindstrom is a city of 4,888 people in Chisago County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for cycling than 93% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 87% of Minnesota towns.

    4,888 people · Chisago County · median home $358,100 · income $98,226 · Jan low 3°F · 52 in snow

    Full Lindstrom, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Luverne, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 88% of Minnesota towns

    Luverne is a city of 4,946 people in Rock County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 90% of Minnesota towns.

    4,946 people · Rock County · median home $208,000 · income $64,366 · Jan low 6°F · 39 in snow

    Full Luverne, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Crookston, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 90% of Minnesota towns

    

    Crookston is a city of 7,482 people in Polk County, Minnesota. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 93% of Minnesota towns.

    7,482 people · Polk County · median home $185,600 · income $57,315 · Jan low -4°F · 50 in snow

    Full Crookston, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Arden Hills, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 90% of Minnesota towns

    Arden Hills is a city of 9,939 people in Ramsey County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for young professionals than 98% of Minnesota towns and more upscale than 97% of Minnesota towns.

    9,939 people · Ramsey County · median home $441,900 · income $134,118 · Jan low 8°F · 40 in snow

    Full Arden Hills, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Lake City, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Minnesota towns

    Lake City is a city of 5,252 people in Wabasha County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 92% of Minnesota towns.

    5,252 people · Wabasha County · median home $238,700 · income $72,244 · Jan low 4°F · 34 in snow

    Full Lake City, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Circle Pines, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Minnesota towns

    Circle Pines is a city of 5,025 people in Anoka County, Minnesota. It also ranks more walkable than 95% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 91% of Minnesota towns.

    5,025 people · Anoka County · median home $293,600 · income $101,800 · Jan low 8°F · 48 in snow

    Full Circle Pines, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10La Crescent, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Minnesota towns

    La Crescent is a city of 5,276 people in Houston County, Minnesota. It also ranks more walkable than 87% of Minnesota towns and hipper than 86% of Minnesota towns.

    5,276 people · Houston County · median home $272,400 · income $85,368 · Jan low 12°F · 38 in snow

    Full La Crescent, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9St. Anthony, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Minnesota towns

    St. Anthony is a city of 9,257 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks better transit than 99% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 98% of Minnesota towns.

    9,257 people · Hennepin County · median home $387,500 · income $97,363 · Jan low 6°F · 40 in snow

    Full St. Anthony, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Lake Crystal, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Minnesota towns

    Lake Crystal is a city of 2,539 people in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. It also ranks more walkable than 82% of Minnesota towns.

    2,539 people · Blue Earth County · median home $204,400 · income $83,317 · Jan low 6°F · 40 in snow

    Full Lake Crystal, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Rockford, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Minnesota towns

    Rockford is a city of 4,500 people in Wright County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for young professionals than 89% of Minnesota towns and more upscale than 85% of Minnesota towns.

    4,500 people · Wright County · median home $329,200 · income $94,162 · Jan low 3°F · 45 in snow

    Full Rockford, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Rockford, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Minnesota towns

    Rockford is a township of 3,371 people in Wright County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for young professionals than 88% of Minnesota towns and more upscale than 83% of Minnesota towns.

    3,371 people · Wright County · median home $404,900 · income $93,378 · Jan low 3°F · 45 in snow

    Full Rockford, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5Two Harbors, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Minnesota towns

    

    Two Harbors is a city of 3,633 people in Lake County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 94% of Minnesota towns and better for cycling than 94% of Minnesota towns.

    3,633 people · Lake County · median home $206,800 · income $65,625 · Jan low 7°F · 61 in snow

    Full Two Harbors, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Blue Earth, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Minnesota towns

    Blue Earth is a city of 3,174 people in Faribault County, Minnesota. It also ranks hipper than 98% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 98% of Minnesota towns.

    3,174 people · Faribault County · median home $143,600 · income $66,771 · Jan low 6°F · 47 in snow

    Full Blue Earth, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Kasson, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Minnesota towns

    

    Kasson is a city of 6,851 people in Dodge County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 95% of Minnesota towns and better for families than 91% of Minnesota towns.

    6,851 people · Dodge County · median home $285,200 · income $93,333 · Jan low 4°F · 44 in snow

    Full Kasson, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Ely, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Minnesota towns

    Ely is a city of 3,268 people in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 100% of Minnesota towns.

    3,268 people · St. Louis County · median home $157,300 · income $43,901 · Jan low -7°F · 65 in snow

    Full Ely, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Benson, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Minnesota towns

    Benson is a city of 3,480 people in Swift County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of Minnesota towns and better for cycling than 95% of Minnesota towns.

    3,480 people · Swift County · median home $156,000 · income $52,821 · Jan low 1°F · 43 in snow

    Full Benson, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Minnesota rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Minnesota
• The 14 Quietest Small Towns in Minnesota
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Minnesota
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Minnesota
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Minnesota
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 15 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Minnesota With Mild Winters
• The 24 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Minnesota

Same ranking, other places

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• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan
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