What it's like to live in Golden Valley
Golden Valley is a small city in Minnesota with county unemployment below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Golden Valley deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, and a population that has been shrinking.
The good
- Low unemployment in the county
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Air quality concerns
- Shrinking population
- Cold, harsh winters
- Snowy winters — 54" per year
How Golden Valley compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Golden Valley
Based on Golden Valley's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,570
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $71,400 a year
- 43% of Golden Valley renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$86,280
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $43,140
- Homes cost 4.0× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 26% above US
$1,785/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,785 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices run above average, with a median around $431,400. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $431,400 · 43% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
3.6% county unemployment
Unemployment in Hennepin County is 3.6%, a little below the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Hennepin County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 74% below US
86 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 949/100k · Golden Valley Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 24% below US
20 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.7 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 30% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 80°F, and winters are cold and harsh, with lows dropping to 10°F.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 67% above US
60% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
11 public schools inside the boundary
There are 11 public schools inside the boundary and 4 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (13 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Golden Valley's strongest points are county unemployment below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,785/mo) equals 20% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime, remote workers (30% of workers here already work from home), and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget and anyone who dislikes long, cold winters.
Other places near Golden Valley
All Minnesota guides →Moving to Robbinsdale →
3 mi away · pop. 14,234
Rent $1,758/mo · Income $88,252
Compare with Golden Valley →Moving to St. Louis Park →
3 mi away · pop. 49,594
Rent $1,644/mo · Income $101,648
Compare with Golden Valley →Moving to Crystal →
3 mi away · pop. 22,476
Rent $1,467/mo · Income $92,513
Compare with Golden Valley →Moving to New Hope →
4 mi away · pop. 21,181
Rent $1,335/mo · Income $77,662
Compare with Golden Valley →Not sure Golden Valley is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.