What it's like to live in Minnetonka
Minnetonka is a smaller city in Minnesota with 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. Minnetonka deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, and cold, harsh winters.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Air quality concerns
- Cold, harsh winters
- Snowy winters — 54" per year
How Minnetonka compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Minnetonka
Based on Minnetonka's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,558
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $71,160 a year
- 45% of Minnetonka renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$95,160
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $47,580
- 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
$1,779/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,779 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices are steep, with a median around $475,800. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $475,800 · 45% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 21% below US
3.4% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.4%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 69% below US
101 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 1298/100k · Minnetonka Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 26% below US
19 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 19.3 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 27% 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▲ 81% above US
65% 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
26 public schools inside the boundary
There are 26 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1, close to 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 (18 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Minnetonka's strongest points are 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 ($1,779/mo) equals 18% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers, anyone prioritizing low crime, and remote workers (27% of workers here already work from home). It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget and anyone who dislikes long, cold winters.
Other places near Minnetonka
All Minnesota guides →Moving to St. Louis Park →
5 mi away · pop. 49,594
Rent $1,644/mo · Income $101,648
Compare with Minnetonka →Moving to Eden Prairie →
6 mi away · pop. 63,051
Rent $1,833/mo · Income $130,489
Compare with Minnetonka →Not sure Minnetonka is the one?
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