11 Pros and Cons of Living in Minnesota
The harsh winters might be worth it to experience the wonder of the Ice Castles—but will the rest of the Minnesota pros outweigh the cons?
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- Pro: Low cost of living
- Con: High tax rate
- Pro: It actually has 11,842 lakes
- Con: Lakes, but no oceans or mountains
- Pro: A shopaholics dream come true
- Con: Add time to your commute during construction season
- Pro: Sports! Sports! Sports!
- Con: One of the most dangerous big cities in the US
- Pro: Home to the first vegan butcher in the US…that’s right—vegan butcher
- Con: These winters are not for the faint of heart
- Pro: But there are Ice Castles
- Is Minnesota a good state to live in?
- How to upgrade your car insurance in Minnesota
- FAQs
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Shopping enthusiasts, outdoorsy folk, and major league football fans may find Minnesota living downright charming, but if you actively avoid the cold and snow and don’t want to pay taxes on your retirement income, you have a lot to consider before moving there.
There is a lot to the Minnesota way of life that can appeal to the right person. The gorgeous natural scenery and landscape abundantly peppered with lakes, the largest mall in the US, and the country’s first vegan butcher are certainly heavy hitters for the state’s favor. However, the North Star State’s drawbacks can be intense and should be evaluated.
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Pro: Low cost of living
Every state in the US is given a cost of living index (COLI) that exists in relation to the national average COLI of 100. Any state with an index above 100 is considered more expensive on average, and the living costs of any state ranking lower than 100 are less expensive.
Minnesota’s COLI is 97.2, meaning living here will cost you less than the country's average living expenses. One-bedroom apartments typically cost around $662 per month, coming in miles behind the US average of $1,769. You’ll also see a lower average healthcare cost and pay less in utilities!
Of course, where you live in Minnesota will determine your monthly expenses, but it is quite possible to find a reasonably priced life in The North Star State.
MORE:Minnesota renter’s insurance
Con: High tax rate
Okay, so not everything about Minnesota living is inexpensive. As a Minnesotan, you’ll have to pay for the fifth-highest tax burden in the US.
Depending on your specific tax bracket—Minnesota recognizes four of them—your income tax will be between 5.35% and 9.85%. You’ll also run into some serious state sales tax throughout the state, ranging from 6.875% to 8.875%. If you’re heading to the Land of 10,000 Lakes to catch some lake-life retirement, be aware that the state taxes Social Security and other retirement income benefits too.
Pro: It actually has 11,842 lakes
Most of us have heard the state of Minnesota referred to as the Land of 10,000 Lakes—an impressive signifier of Minnesota’s natural beauty that actually underestimates its grandeur. Minnesota life may as well be synonymous with “Lake Life” since you simply can’t live here without experiencing at least one of the 11,842 lakes in the state’s borders.
There are countless ways to enjoy your time at the lake(s)! Public beaches lend themselves nicely to swimming and other water recreation. Explore the waterways at state and local parks with paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks all of which are available for rent. Of course, there is fishing, ice fishing, sailing, ice skating, and lakeshore camping too!
Want to get really acquainted with Minnesota’s waters? Try a boat tour like the
Itasca State Park tour
that brings you to the beginning headwaters of the Mighty Mississippi River. Con: Lakes, but no oceans or mountains
The natural beauty of the North Star State is immense, to be sure, but some land and water features are missing—namely oceans and mountains. As a primarily flat, land-locked state, Minnesota has no oceanic connections to speak of, and the highest elevation only reaches 2,301 feet.
Now, this may not be a problem for those who aren’t already well-acquainted with salt spray and mountain air. However, if you cannot live without scaling a cliff-side or riding the waves, Minnesota will likely disappoint you.
Pro: A shopaholics dream come true
Maybe you’re just fine living away from ocean beaches and mountain peaks but can’t imagine putting down roots in a place without a proper shopping scene. Well, Minnesota has you covered with the largest mall in the United States.
The
Mall of America
in Bloomington
, Minnesota has over 520 storesand an amusement park! Even as a full-time Minnesota resident, you’ll have plenty to explore each time you visit. It’s free to enter and chock full of excellent people-watching and window shopping if you’re on a budget. If you’re there to spend, you’ll find no shortage of goods and activities, from fashion, food, and cocktails to the Nickelodeon Universe theme park and tech hot spots. MORE:
Minnesota DUI laws
Con: Add time to your commute during construction season
Minnesota is a Midwest state through and through…meaning there is a defined road construction season that takes up half the year. Since the Midwest climate typically sees burning summers and frigid winters, the roads are subjected to damaging expansion and contraction of ice thawing and water refreezing several times a year.
Summer months on the road are typically dedicated to lane closures, detours, and traffic cones as far as the eye can see. So when the Minnesota road construction season begins, be sure to account for the added time to your daily commute.
Pro: Sports! Sports! Sports!
If you’re a sports fan in any capacity (and aren’t already supremely dedicated to other teams), the Minnesota sports culture can be a welcomed landing pad. The North Star State has six professional sports teams across baseball (Twins), football (Vikings), hockey (Wild), basketball (Timberwolves and Lynx), and soccer (United FC).
Without a doubt, the Minnesota Vikings draw the most rapturous fan base. Come NFL season, you’ll see many of your fellow Minnesotans head-to-toe decked out in purple and Viking horns. And while they’re eager to cheer on their team, Vikings fans were ranked among the least rowdy fan bases throughout the NFL, so you can enjoy the game in a family-friendly.
MORE:Best fall road trips in the Midwest
Con: One of the most dangerous big cities in the US
Minneapolis, Minnesota is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the country. Violent crime in Minneapolis is three times more prevalent than the US violent crime average, with about 1,063 violent crime victims per 100,000 residents.
Keep in mind that large cities with a high population density tend to have higher crime rates, but this does not make these places unworthy of consideration!
MORE:Moving to Minneapolis
Pro: Home to the first vegan butcher in the US…that’s right—vegan butcher
As the climate crisis deepens, many folks are looking for meat and dairy alternatives for Meatless Mondays or a swap to veganism altogether—and Minnesota’s own
The Herbivorous Butcher
is providing. This vegan butcher shop was the first of its kind in the US and keeps its in-person and online shops stocked with meat- and dairy-free varieties of all the favorites. The Herbivorous Butcher lets you stock up on your deli must-haves like bologna, salami, and turkey, or opt for the finer fare of Korean short ribs, beer brats, or a Porterhouse steak—all vegan, of course.
Con: These winters are not for the faint of heart
If you’ve never experienced a Minnesota winter before, let us warn you here are now—they can be brutal. It’s not uncommon for the low temperatures to reach -20°Fbefore the wind chill. The snowfall arrives as more of a blizzard and is usually reported in feet-fell rather than inches.
Moving to Minnesota necessitates stocking up on your heavy-duty winter gear, from coats, hats, and gloves to industrial-grade snow boots and snow blowers so you’re not stuck in your house for days at a time. However, that may still happen depending on the snow and ice falling from the clouds.
Pro: But there are Ice Castles
Winters in Minnesota may be tough to get through, but at least you’ll have Ice Castles to explore! During the cold months,
Minnesota’s Ice Castles
attraction opens to the public for folks looking to chase away the winter blues with some winter magic. You can venture through an ice maze or crawl through ice tunnels, race down an ice slide, or plan a romantic evening in a private alcove with icicles resembling chandeliers. Professional ice artists carve frozen thrones and sculptures for you to marvel at as you explore the massive LED-lit ice caverns. If you’re looking for unique and magical winter experiences in your move to Minnesota, the Ice Castles are one is not one to miss.
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Is Minnesota a good state to live in?
Yes, Minnesota can make a great state to live in, but it also has some potential drawbacks. Before you go all-in on your decision to make Minnesota your next home, consider all the pros and cons at stake.
Minnesota is a great state for:
- Shopping enthusiasts
- Outdoors enthusiasts
- Major league sports fans
- Winter lovers
On the other hand, if you can’t stand the cold, prefer oceans to lakes, or a potentially high tax burden, Minnesota might not be for you.
How to upgrade your car insurance in Minnesota
Owning a car in Minnesota is a non-negotiable if you need to travel anywhere. The cost of vehicle ownership is not a cheap one, especially when you consider the need for regular maintenance, fuel fill-ups, and
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FAQs
Is Minnesota in Tornado Alley?
Minnesota is at the north-most point of Tornado Alley, seeing the most tornadoes in the summer months.
What are the winters like in Minnesota?
In a word? Brutal. Minnesota winters are characterized by subzero temperatures, blizzard conditions, and wind chills that reach your bones even with a heavy winter coat.
Is Minnesota racially diverse?
Minnesota as a whole is 81.64% white, but you’ll find greater racial diversity in the bigger cities as opposed to small towns.
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