Minneapolis, MN, “The City of Lakes,” is quickly becoming home for many Minnesotans and out-of-staters alike. With its picturesque views of the Mississippi River, outstanding restaurants, and iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that close to 445,000 people live in Minneapolis.
And if you’re thinking about moving to the city, you’ll find that the average rent price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Minneapolis is $1,625, the median home sale price is $340,000, and the housing market is somewhat competitive.
If those prices are out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve rounded up a list of the 10 best affordable Minneapolis suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 35-minute drive from the city. From a reasonable commute time to an easy weekend getaway, you’ll still be close enough to Minneapolis to explore all the city has to offer – without the price of living there.
#1: Hopkins
Median home price: $272,500
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 15 minutes
Hopkins, MN homes for sale
Hopkins, MN apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $272,500, Hopkins lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Minneapolis suburb. Just about a 15-minute drive away from Minneapolis, you won’t miss out on finding all the city’s hidden gems. Living in Hopkins, you can spend time exploring Burnes Park, learning about the area’s history at the Hopkins Historical Society, or checking out the exhibits at Hopkins Center for the Arts.
#2: Hastings
Median home price: $285,000
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 35 minutes
Hastings, MN homes for sale
Hastings, MN apartments for rent
Minneapolis’s second most affordable suburb, Hastings has a median home sale price of $285,000. Only 35 minutes from the city center, you’ll be visiting Minnehaha Regional Park in just a quick drive. While living in Hastings, make sure to explore Hastings Water Park or grab a bite to eat at one of the many riverfront restaurants.
#3: Circle Pines
Median home price: $291,000
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 20 minutes
Circle Pines, MN homes for sale
Circle Pines, MN apartments for rent
20 minutes away from downtown Minneapolis, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Circle Pines. Even with a population of about 5,000, there are plenty of cool areas to explore in Circle Pines. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to visit Golden Lake Park to spend a sunny afternoon fishing, boating, or playing tennis.
#4: Lexington (tie)
Median home price: $300,000
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 20 minutes
Lexington, MN homes for sale
Lexington, MN apartments for rent
Located just west of Circle Pines is Lexington, the next suburb on our list. About 4,500 people live in this Minneapolis suburb, where you’ll find Lexington Memorial Park. And weekend trips into downtown Minneapolis won’t take you too long, only about 20 minutes if you’re lucky to catch a traffic-free drive.
#4: Coon Rapids (tie)
Median home price: $300,000
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 30 minutes
Coon Rapids, MN homes for sale
Coon Rapids, MN apartments for rent
Tying Lexington for the fourth spot on our list is Coon Rapids. Just 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis, Coon Rapids is another great area to add to your list of places to consider moving to. Home to 65,000 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Minneapolis without paying the price for a home in the city. Living in Coon Rapids, you’ll find Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, the Mississippi River Regional Trail, and the Lilli Putt, a mini-golf course. Don’t forget to stop by Coon Rapids Ice Center as you’re checking out the town.
#6: Columbia Heights
Median home price: $312,500
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 15 minutes
Columbia Heights, MN homes for sale
Columbia Heights, MN apartments for rent
Sixth on the list is another well-known Minneapolis suburb, Columbia Heights, where the home prices are about $30K less than in Minneapolis. With roughly 20,300 people calling Columbia Heights home, it’s a great area to consider buying a house or renting an apartment in. There are lots of activities to do in this suburb like checking out Kordiak Park, among many other local favorites.
Take a 15 minute drive from Columbia Heights to visit, “The Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden. The Sculpture Garden is outdoors and you can see the infamous Cherry Spoon plus other works of art. It’s a great photo opportunity so be sure to bring your camera,” recommends Sarah Pierce, Owner of Minneapolis Headshots.
#7: Fridley
Median home price: $314,000
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 15 minutes
Fridley, MN homes for sale
Fridley, MN apartments for rent
Seventh on our list of affordable Minneapolis suburbs is Fridley, which is almost 15 minutes away from the heart of the city. With a population of about 28,000, living in Fridley is a great alternative to city life. Don’t miss out on visiting Moore Lake Park or Manomin Park once living in Fridley.
Just a 20 minute drive from Fridley, Erin Johnson Photography suggest, “I enjoy walking the Stone Arch Bridge and the areas around the bridge on both sides of the Mississippi River. Minneapolis is filled with great food, breweries and coffee shops. I would suggest the Spyhouse for a gourmet coffee, Brasa for an amazing meal, and Surly Brewing for a great indoor/outdoor experience with a beer in hand.”
#8: Robbinsdale
Median home price: $321,500
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 15 minutes
Robbinsdale, MN homes for sale
Robbinsdale, MN apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in Minneapolis for a while, chances are you know of Robbinsdale. About 14,000 people live in Robbinsdale, so you’ll have a fraction of Minneapolis’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Make sure to visit Lakeview Terrace Park, Manor Park, or the art exhibits at Robbin Gallery once you move to Robbinsdale.
“We absolutely love going to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts,” mentions Nicole Spangler Photography. “We are so lucky to have works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more in Minnesota.”
#9: Brooklyn Park
Median home price: $323,000
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 15 minutes
Brooklyn Park, MN homes for sale
Brooklyn Park, MN apartments for rent
Without traffic, you’ll be in downtown Minneapolis in about 15 minutes, making Brooklyn Park a great place to consider moving to. Close to 80,000 people live in this suburb, but you’ll find lots to do in Brooklyn Park. Fun activities to check out in Brooklyn Park include exploring Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and the Brooklyn Park Activity Center.
Just a 15 minute drive from Brooklyn Park is, “a cluster of beautiful lakes and trails, known as the Chain of Lakes, that offer all sorts of opportunities for free outdoor recreation,” recommends Lulle Photo & Film. “The five interconnected lakes span over 6 miles, so there’s plenty of space to explore. Take a walk or bike ride around the lakes. There’s activities for everyone: enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and relaxing by the water. Also, there are a lot free concerts and movie nights at the Bandshell at one of the five lakes, Lake Harriet.”
#10: Farmington
Median home price: $335,212
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 35 minutes
Farmington, MN homes for sale
Farmington, MN apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of affordable Minneapolis suburbs is Farmington. If you’re lucky to avoid traffic, it’ll only take about 35 minutes to drive into Minneapolis. This suburb has a population of 23,000 and is home to Fountain Valley Golf Club and Rambling River Park. There’s always something to check out while living in this awesome suburb.
Other affordable things to do in Minneapolis
1. Minneapolis Institute of Art
“If you’re into the arts, I highly recommend checking out The Minneapolis Institute of Art [MIA]. Admissions are free at the MIA. This place is perfect for a free date night in the city. You can explore the museum’s vast collection, featuring art over 6,000 years ago. You can also enjoy special events such as artist talks and live music,” recommends Lulle Photo & Film.
2. Minnehaha Falls
“My favorite park in Minneapolis is Minnehaha Falls. The trails, the iconic waterfall, and the amazing restaurant Sea Salt is a Minneapolis Classic. I love bringing my dog for a walk around the trails near the falls; and then to Minnehaha Dog Park just a short distance away. It’s a great off-leash area, and a spot for pups to play together,” provides Lulle Photo & Film.
3. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
“The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has indoor and outdoor gardens that change throughout the seasons. Be sure to visit their Apple House in the fall for the best fresh picked apples, the home of the original honey crisp apple,” recommends Sarah Pierce from Minneapolis Headshots.
4. Central Park Maple Grove
“The City of Maple Grove features award winning parks and recreational opportunities,” suggests Economic Development Director of Maple Grove, Brett Angell. “During the winter months, the ice skating loop at Central Park of Maple Grove offers a great opportunity for leisure skating for all ages.”
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Minneapolis and under a 35-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during April 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com May 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
