The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Minnesota

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 165 towns of 2,500–10,000 people in Minnesota. #1 is Benson, MN.

1. 25Rush City, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   3,228 people · Chisago County · median home $233,100 · income $58,760 · Jan low 1°F · 48 in snow

2. 24Bradford, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   3,427 people · Isanti County · median home $336,800 · income $92,574 · Jan low 4°F · 44 in snow

3. 23Litchfield, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   6,624 people · Meeker County · median home $187,600 · income $54,875 · Jan low 0°F · 43 in snow

4. 22Virginia, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 83% of Minnesota towns

   8,421 people · St. Louis County · median home $120,600 · income $51,720 · Jan low -1°F · 69 in snow

5. 21Osseo, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 84% of Minnesota towns

   2,688 people · Hennepin County · median home $306,500 · income $62,119 · Jan low 7°F · 54 in snow

6. 20Sauk Centre, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 85% of Minnesota towns

   4,555 people · Stearns County · median home $225,700 · income $62,628 · Jan low 0°F · 39 in snow

7. 19St. Joseph, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 85% of Minnesota towns

   7,029 people · Stearns County · median home $237,700 · income $74,946 · Jan low 4°F · 57 in snow

8. 18Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 85% of Minnesota towns

   9,869 people · Becker County · median home $265,800 · income $62,958 · Jan low -4°F · 48 in snow

9. 17Oak Park Heights, Minnesota

   Better for first-time buyers than 87% of Minnesota towns

   4,849 people · Washington County · median home $354,800 · income $82,476 · Jan low 9°F · 47 in snow

10. 16Lindstrom, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 88% of Minnesota towns

    4,888 people · Chisago County · median home $358,100 · income $98,226 · Jan low 3°F · 52 in snow

11. 15Luverne, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 88% of Minnesota towns

    4,946 people · Rock County · median home $208,000 · income $64,366 · Jan low 6°F · 39 in snow

12. 14Crookston, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 90% of Minnesota towns

    7,482 people · Polk County · median home $185,600 · income $57,315 · Jan low -4°F · 50 in snow

13. 13Arden Hills, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 90% of Minnesota towns

    9,939 people · Ramsey County · median home $441,900 · income $134,118 · Jan low 8°F · 40 in snow

14. 12Lake City, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Minnesota towns

    5,252 people · Wabasha County · median home $238,700 · income $72,244 · Jan low 4°F · 34 in snow

15. 11Circle Pines, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Minnesota towns

    5,025 people · Anoka County · median home $293,600 · income $101,800 · Jan low 8°F · 48 in snow

16. 10La Crescent, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Minnesota towns

    5,276 people · Houston County · median home $272,400 · income $85,368 · Jan low 12°F · 38 in snow

17. 9St. Anthony, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Minnesota towns

    9,257 people · Hennepin County · median home $387,500 · income $97,363 · Jan low 6°F · 40 in snow

18. 8Lake Crystal, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Minnesota towns

    2,539 people · Blue Earth County · median home $204,400 · income $83,317 · Jan low 6°F · 40 in snow

19. 7Rockford, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 93% of Minnesota towns

    4,500 people · Wright County · median home $329,200 · income $94,162 · Jan low 3°F · 45 in snow

20. 6Rockford, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of Minnesota towns

    3,371 people · Wright County · median home $404,900 · income $93,378 · Jan low 3°F · 45 in snow

21. 5Two Harbors, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of Minnesota towns

    3,633 people · Lake County · median home $206,800 · income $65,625 · Jan low 7°F · 61 in snow

22. 4Blue Earth, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of Minnesota towns

    3,174 people · Faribault County · median home $143,600 · income $66,771 · Jan low 6°F · 47 in snow

23. 3Kasson, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of Minnesota towns

    6,851 people · Dodge County · median home $285,200 · income $93,333 · Jan low 4°F · 44 in snow

24. 2Ely, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Minnesota towns

    3,268 people · St. Louis County · median home $157,300 · income $43,901 · Jan low -7°F · 65 in snow

25. 1Benson, Minnesota

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of Minnesota towns

    3,480 people · Swift County · median home $156,000 · income $52,821 · Jan low 1°F · 43 in snow

Price vs ranking

More Minnesota rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Minnesota
• The 14 Quietest Small Towns in Minnesota
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Minnesota
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Minnesota
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Minnesota
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 15 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Minnesota With Mild Winters
• The 24 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Minnesota

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in America
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New York
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Florida
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Wisconsin
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Ohio