Rochester Named One of America’s Best Places to Live Again
If someone asked you to name one of the best places to live in America, would Rochester make your list?
According to a brand-new ranking from U.S. News & World Report, it should.
They recently released its 2026-2027 Best Places to Live rankings, comparing 250 cities across the country based on everything from value to quality of life, the local job market, and more.
While Rochester held its own, it actually wasn't Minnesota’s highest-ranked city on the list. In fact, eight different Minnesota communities made the cut overall.
The Med City locked down the 138th spot nationally, because of the strong job market, world-renowned healthcare, and the economic impact of Mayo Clinic. No surprise there.
One result that really surprised me? Ankeny, Iowa came in at No. 4 in the entire country. Honestly, good for our neighbors down south, but wow!
Let's look at what other Minnesota cities made the cut and where they landed:
31st: Plymouth
Plymouth is Minnesota's highest-ranked city for the second year in a row, coming in at 31st nationally. It's known for its excellent schools, strong job market, beautiful parks, and plenty of lakes, making it one of the Twin Cities metro's most desirable suburbs.
54th: Maple Grove
Maple Grove earned that spot thanks to its highly rated schools, popular shopping and dining destinations, miles of trails, and overall quality of life.
81st: Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie continues to be one of Minnesota's most desirable suburbs known for its thriving business community, top-rated schools, and one of the largest park systems in the state.
112th: Woodbury
Woodbury landed at No. 112 nationally. Located east of St. Paul, it's known for its strong housing market, highly rated schools, low crime rates, and plenty of shopping and restaurants.
134th: Eagan
Just ahead of Rochester is Eagan at No. 134. The south metro suburb offers a strong job market, well-regarded schools, and easy access to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
198th: Blaine
Blaine came in at No. 198. It's home to the National Sports Center and is known for its family-friendly neighborhoods, relatively affordable housing, and convenient access to both the Twin Cities and outdoor recreation.
209th: Mankato
Rounding out the list is Mankato coming in at 209. The city is home to Minnesota State University, Mankato, and continues to be a regional hub for education, healthcare, and southern Minnesota.
Inside One of Rochester's Most Stunning Historic Pill Hill Homes
Gallery Credit: Samm Adams
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