Retiring in the Land of 1000 Lakes means surrounding yourself with amazing natural beauty during all four seasons. Minnesota has striking scenery for active adults who want to reconnect with nature and exciting urban hubs for more cosmopolitan-minded folks.
NewHomeSource has named the top 10 cities for retirees in Minnesota. If you are ready to retire in Minnesota we make it easy to find the perfect new retirement community in a city where you can engage in a lifestyle you love. If you’re buying your first Minnesota home, check out the first-time homebuyer programs available. Want to see how safe your new city is? Looking to retire but want to be near the Twin Cities? Check out our list of best Minneapolis suburbs (and our guide to relocating to Minneapolis, too).
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Minnesota
1. Albert Lea
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 23.3%
Median Home Value: $97,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 38
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 506
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Albert Lea is a beautiful community on the shores of the Albert Lea Lake. Retirees looking to enjoy affordable lakefront living can make their dream retirement a reality in Albert Lea. Plan to spend your carefree days exploring some of the most amazing scenery the Land of 1000 Lakes has to offer at the Myer Big Island State Park.
2. Hibbing
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.3%
Median Home Value: $103,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 41
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 166
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Hibbing is a beautiful town in Minnesota’s Iron Range, perfect for active adults who want to enjoy a serene rural retirement. Hibbing is home to beautiful parks and inviting trails that let you explore lovely lakes and some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Midwest. Staying healthy is easy when you have this much hiking, biking, and boating right at your fingertips
3. Austin
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.7%
Median Home Value: $107,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 54
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 487
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Buffy the Cow welcomes you to Austin, MN, proving that this fun town can keep it weird too! When you retire to Austin, you can enjoy an active, yet peaceful life in this rural community. Hiking at East Side Lake lets you enjoy laid-back waterfront entertainment, while local museums allow you to learn more about their county culture.
4. Brainerd
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.2%
Median Home Value: $117,900
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 63
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 461
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3
Brainerd gives retirees the best of lakeside living in Minnesota. This lush community is perfect for active adults who want to kick back on the water, in a boat, or in a folding chair. If you like the idea of spending your free time hiking, boating, swimming, and generally chilling out, then you’ll love retired life in Brainerd.
5. Fairmont
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 23.6%
Median Home Value: $123,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 26
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 212
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Fairmont is the perfect community for retirees who want to reconnect with Mother Nature during their golden years. With numerous local lakes you can enjoy riparian entertainment like boating and swimming. With trails that wind through some of the most colorful fall foliage in the country, you can stay healthy and enjoy amazing scenery.
6. Bemidji
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.0%
Median Home Value: $131,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 83
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,187
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
If spending your retirement exploring the Headwaters sounds like a dream come true, then you’ll love retired life in Bemidji, MN. This beautiful community on the banks of the Mississippi River has something for active adults during all seasons. Spend the winter ice skating and skiing while you soak up the scenery. During the warmer months, hiking, biking, swimming, and boating are all a must.
7. Worthington
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.3%
Median Home Value: $132,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 31
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 130
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Who says retiring means slowing down? Not the residents of Worthington, MN! This charming community on Lake Okabena has a vibrant windsurfing culture, so you’ll have an exciting new hobby to learn about during your retirement. If you aren’t in the mood to actually windsurf, you can still be a part of Worthington’s culture – thanks to local museums.
8. Fergus Falls
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 24.1%
Median Home Value: $132,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 47
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 613
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 4
Otto the Otter is just one of the funky aspects of Fergus Falls. This fun community welcomes retirees who want to enjoy a vibrant small town with a true neighborhood atmosphere. In addition to exploring the charming shops in Downtown Fergus Falls, you can enjoy the outdoors by either hiking or boating on numerous local lakes – or just pick your pleasure.
9. Willmar
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.5%
Median Home Value: $133,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 84
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 419
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Willmar, Minnesota, has a wide range of activities for retirees. If you are looking for outdoor activities, you will find an abundance of state parks and trails, as well as an environment learning center. If the indoors are more to your liking, Willmar is also home to the Foxhole Brewery and the Glacial Ridge Winery, or you can catch a show at The Barn Theatre.
10. New Ulm
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.8%
Median Home Value: $141,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 8
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 116
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 5
Whether you are spending your summers on the Cottonwood River, or your winters at snowy Flandrau State Park, New Ulm, Minnesota, has everything you need to keep your retired life fun and active. This city has historical tours, festivals, and restaurants dedicated to New Ulm’s rich German history.
Common Questions About Retiring in Minnesota
Minnesota is not a tax friendly state for retirees. Social Security income is partially taxed, and income from retirement accounts is fully taxed.
Retirees need as little as $36,000 to retire comfortably in Minnesota.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Albert Lea | 23.3% | 38 | 506 | 1 | $97,100 |
| Hibbing | 17.3% | 41 | 166 | 2 | $103,000 |
| Austin | 17.7% | 54 | 487 | 1 | $107,800 |
| Brainerd | 16.2% | 63 | 461 | 3 | $117,900 |
| Fairmont | 23.6% | 26 | 212 | 2 | $123,700 |
| Bemidji | 16.0% | 83 | 1,187 | 1 | $131,500 |
| Worthington | 14.3% | 31 | 130 | 2 | $132,500 |
| Fergus Falls | 24.1% | 47 | 613 | 4 | $132,300 |
| Willmar | 16.5% | 84 | 419 | 1 | $133,000 |
| New Ulm | 20.8% | 8 | 116 | 5 | $141,300 |
| Cloquet | 15.1% | 10 | 277 | 6 | $142,700 |
| Winona | 16.5% | 30 | 644 | 1 | $148,800 |
| Hutchinson | 19.1% | 31 | 236 | 4 | $149,200 |
| Grand Rapids | 23.3% | 20 | 171 | 2 | $151,300 |
| Fairbault | 15.8% | 61 | 470 | 3 | $153,500 |
| Marshall | 13.6% | 21 | 161 | 3 | $154,100 |
| St. Cloud | 12.7% | 298 | 2,444 | 1 | $155,500 |
| Mendota Heights | 6.4% | 16 | 207 | 22 | $158,700 |
| Duluth | 15.7% | 294 | 3,715 | 3 | $163,300 |
| Owatonna | 16.9% | 27 | 403 | 2 | $166,600 |
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Other Minnesota Resources
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
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