The Twin Cities suburbs are where the majority of the metro area's 3.7 million residents live, and they range from wealthy, established enclaves to rapidly growing communities on the metro's outer ring. Choosing the right suburb depends on your priorities — schools, commute, budget, and whether you want a walkable town center or acreage. This guide profiles the suburbs that consistently rank as the best places to live in the Twin Cities metro.

Edina

Best for: Families seeking top schools, affluent lifestyle, and south metro location

Population: ~54,000
Median home price: $500,000 - $600,000
Schools: Edina Public Schools are among the highest-rated in the state. The school district consistently produces strong academic outcomes and has extensive extracurricular programs.
Commute to downtown Minneapolis: 20-30 minutes
Character: Upscale residential neighborhoods with mature trees, well-maintained homes, and a strong sense of community. The 50th & France commercial district provides a walkable shopping and dining area. Southdale Center, the nation's first indoor shopping mall (opened 1956), anchors the retail landscape.
Considerations: The most expensive suburb on this list. Property taxes are high. The community can feel homogeneous — affluent, predominantly white, and established.

Eden Prairie

Best for: Families and corporate professionals seeking excellent schools, green space, and a newer suburban feel

Population: ~65,000
Median home price: $400,000 - $500,000
Schools: Eden Prairie Schools are well-regarded, with strong STEM programs and athletics.
Commute to downtown Minneapolis: 25-35 minutes
Character: A newer suburb with a mix of housing types — from townhomes and condos to large single-family homes. Eden Prairie has extensive parks, trails, and nature preserves. Several corporate headquarters (C.H. Robinson, Optum, Supervalu) are located here, making it possible to live and work in the same community.
Considerations: Sprawling layout requires a car for everything. Less walkable than inner-ring suburbs. The southwestern location means a longer commute to St. Paul.

Wayzata

Best for: Lake living, charm, and a small-town atmosphere with metro access

Population: ~5,000
Median home price: $600,000 - $1,000,000+
Schools: Part of the Wayzata School District, which is among the best in the state.
Commute to downtown Minneapolis: 25-35 minutes
Character: A small, upscale lakeside community on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The downtown area along Lake Street has boutique shops, restaurants, and a charming waterfront. In summer, the lake dominates community life. In winter, it's a quiet, scenic residential town.
Considerations: Expensive. Very small — limited housing inventory and few commercial options beyond the small downtown. The lake-lifestyle appeal is strongest for those who genuinely use the water.

Woodbury

Best for: Families seeking newer homes, good schools, and east-metro access

Population: ~75,000
Median home price: $375,000 - $475,000
Schools: South Washington County Schools are strong. The district has invested in new facilities and programs.
Commute to downtown St. Paul: 20-25 minutes. To downtown Minneapolis: 30-40 minutes.
Character: One of the fastest-growing suburbs in the metro. Newer construction, planned neighborhoods, retail centers, and a family-oriented culture. Tamarack Nature Preserve and numerous parks provide outdoor recreation. Woodbury appeals to families with children who want new homes, good schools, and a community that's still being built.
Considerations: Very car-dependent. The rapid growth means construction traffic and evolving neighborhoods. Less established character than older suburbs.

Maple Grove

Best for: Families seeking a balance of affordability, amenities, and north-metro location

Population: ~70,000
Median home price: $400,000 - $500,000
Schools: Osseo Area Schools serve much of Maple Grove. Performance varies by school, but several are well-regarded.
Commute to downtown Minneapolis: 25-35 minutes
Character: A large, well-established suburb with a mix of older and newer neighborhoods. The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes provides a town-center-style shopping and dining area. Fish Lake, Rice Lake, and extensive trails offer outdoor recreation. Maple Grove Hospital (part of North Memorial Health) is a major local employer.
Considerations: Highway 694/494 and I-94 access is good, but rush-hour traffic on I-94 heading downtown can be significant.

Plymouth

Best for: Families and professionals seeking a large, well-established suburb with corporate proximity

Population: ~82,000
Median home price: $400,000 - $550,000
Schools: Wayzata School District (parts of Plymouth) is excellent. Robbinsdale Area Schools serve other sections.
Commute to downtown Minneapolis: 20-30 minutes
Character: One of the largest suburbs in the metro by area. Plymouth has a diverse housing stock — from modest ramblers to executive homes on large lots. Medicine Lake and French Regional Park provide water and trail access. Several corporate offices, including Medtronic facilities, are located in Plymouth.
Considerations: The sheer size of Plymouth means that neighborhood character varies significantly. Some areas feel suburban and walkable; others are more exurban and isolated.

Minnetonka

Best for: Families seeking lake access, good schools, and a western-metro location with corporate employment

Population: ~54,000
Median home price: $400,000 - $550,000
Schools: Minnetonka Public Schools are consistently ranked among the best in Minnesota, known for strong academics and arts programs.
Commute to downtown Minneapolis: 25-35 minutes
Character: Proximity to Lake Minnetonka defines Minnetonka's identity. The community has a mix of mid-century and newer homes, corporate offices (Cargill, UnitedHealth Group nearby), and excellent park systems. Minnetonka offers the lake lifestyle at a somewhat lower price point than Wayzata.
Considerations: The western location means longer commutes to St. Paul and east-metro employers.

Apple Valley

Best for: Families seeking affordability, south-metro access, and outdoor amenities

Population: ~55,000
Median home price: $325,000 - $400,000
Schools: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (ISD 196) is a large, well-regarded district.
Commute to downtown Minneapolis: 30-40 minutes. To downtown St. Paul: 25-35 minutes.
Character: Apple Valley is known for the Minnesota Zoo and Lebanon Hills Regional Park, which together provide a strong family and outdoor recreation anchor. The housing stock is primarily 1970s-2000s construction with a range of sizes and styles. It's one of the more affordable quality suburbs on this list.
Considerations: Less upscale than Edina or Wayzata but delivers good schools and amenities at a lower price point. Commute to downtown Minneapolis is on the longer side.

Choosing the Right Suburb: Key Questions

Where is your workplace? The Twin Cities metro is spread across a wide area. A suburb that's convenient to downtown Minneapolis may be a 45-minute commute from a St. Paul employer, and vice versa. Match your suburb to your job location first.
What school district matters? If you have school-age children, the school district should be a primary filter. Edina, Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie consistently rank highest.
What's your budget? Home prices range from $325,000 in Apple Valley to $800,000+ in Wayzata. Know your budget and narrow from there.
Do you want walkability or space? Inner-ring suburbs (Edina, St. Louis Park) offer more walkable commercial areas. Outer-ring suburbs (Woodbury, Maple Grove) offer more space but require driving for everything.
East or west? The metro's east-west divide is real. Western suburbs tend to be more affluent and closer to lakes. Eastern suburbs (Woodbury, Maplewood) are closer to St. Paul and often more affordable.

Get Your Free Moving Quote

Once you've chosen your suburb, the next step is getting your moving costs pinned down. Get free, no-obligation quotes from licensed Twin Cities movers who know the metro area and can handle your specific route and timeline.

Best Suburbs of Minneapolis-St. Paul