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Quality of Life in Edina, MN
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
79% above national average
The Real Cost of Living in Edina, MN for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $28k | $53k |
| Comfortable | $121k | $178k |
| Luxury | $233k+ | $362k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $371k+ | $574k+ |
73%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
4 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
20 within 20 miles
Airport
JFK — John F. Kennedy Memorial
Post Office
USPS — Minneapolis, MN
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Edina, Minnesota, is one of the Twin Cities' most affluent and sought-after suburbs, consistently ranking among the state's wealthiest communities. With a cost of living index of 179 (nearly 80% above the national average), the city attracts established professionals, executives, and families who prioritize top-tier schools, manicured neighborhoods, and convenient access to Minneapolis. The population skews highly educated and white-collar, with a median household income well above $100,000, creating a community where financial stability and community investment are the norm.
Cost of living, housing prices, and affordability compared to Minneapolis and Wayzata
Edina's cost of living is among the highest in the metro area, driven almost entirely by housing. The median home value sits at $624,000, roughly double the national median and significantly above the Minneapolis city average of around $350,000. While steep, this is still below the ultra-premium suburbs like Wayzata or Orono, where median values often exceed $800,000. For renters, the median rent of $1,757 is about 30% higher than the Minneapolis metro average, reflecting demand for luxury apartments near Southdale Center and the 50th & France district. Property taxes in Edina are also above state averages, typically ranging from 1.1% to 1.3% of assessed value, which funds the city's exceptional public services. The average commute time of 20.4 minutes is notably short for a high-cost suburb, as many residents work in downtown Minneapolis or along the I-494 corridor, making the premium on housing a trade-off for time saved on the road.
What daily life is like for families: schools, parks, and local amenities
Daily life in Edina revolves around its nationally recognized public school system, Edina Public Schools, which consistently earns A+ ratings and sends over 90% of graduates to four-year colleges. The district's five elementary schools, two middle schools, and Edina High School are walkable from many neighborhoods, creating a strong sense of community. Beyond academics, the city maintains over 50 parks, including the 100-acre Centennial Lakes Park with its formal gardens, paddleboats, and summer concert series. The 50th & France district and Southdale Center (the nation's first enclosed shopping mall) anchor retail and dining, offering a mix of national chains and local boutiques. Residents also have access to the Edina Aquatic Center, the Braemar Golf Course, and extensive bike trails connecting to the Minneapolis chain of lakes. The rhythm is distinctly suburban: families walk to school, kids fill the parks after 3 PM, and weekend mornings see packed farmers markets and coffee shops like the Edina Grill.
Edina is best suited for families and professionals who value elite public education, low crime rates, and a polished suburban environment within a short commute of a major city. It is less ideal for young singles seeking nightlife or renters on a tight budget, as the housing market demands significant income. Those who thrive here are typically dual-income households or established professionals who see the high cost of living as an investment in school quality, safety, and property appreciation. For anyone prioritizing top-ranked schools and a meticulously maintained community, Edina delivers a predictable, high-quality lifestyle that few other Minnesota suburbs can match.
Crime in Edina, MN
Lower crime rates than 77% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Edina, Minnesota, is one of the safest cities in the Twin Cities metro area, with a violent crime rate of just 52.2 incidents per 100,000 residents—roughly one-tenth the national average. Property crime, however, is more prevalent at 1,354 per 100,000, a figure that still compares favorably to many neighboring suburbs. While the city benefits from high household incomes and proactive community policing, residents should remain aware that its location within a large, liberal-leaning metro area introduces systemic risks tied to progressive criminal justice policies.
Crime in context
Edina’s violent crime rate is 90% lower than the U.S. average of 380 per 100,000, and significantly below the Minnesota state rate of roughly 280 per 100,000. Property crime in Edina sits about 25% below the national average of 1,954 per 100,000. These numbers place Edina among the safest suburbs in Hennepin County. However, the broader metro context matters: the Twin Cities region has seen rising property crime and car thefts since 2020, driven in part by progressive prosecutorial policies in Hennepin County. District Attorney Mary Moriarty, elected on a reform platform, has implemented policies that reduce pretrial detention and divert many property offenses from incarceration. Critics argue this creates a "catch-and-release" cycle that emboldens repeat offenders, who may travel from Minneapolis into affluent suburbs like Edina to commit crimes of opportunity.
What residents experience
For most Edina residents, daily life feels very safe. Violent crime is rare—typically limited to isolated domestic incidents or occasional robberies at commercial areas like Southdale Center. The Edina Police Department maintains a strong community presence, with officers assigned to neighborhood liaisons and school resource programs. The real concern is property crime: carjackings and auto thefts have increased 40% since 2021, mirroring a metro-wide trend. Unlocked vehicles and garage burglaries are the most common incidents. Residents are advised to use steering-wheel locks and motion-sensor lighting. The city has also deployed automated license plate readers at key intersections to track stolen vehicles. While these measures help, the underlying driver—lenient sentencing for property offenders in Hennepin County courts—remains a source of frustration for many homeowners.
Neighborhood-level variation is modest but notable. Areas near the Minneapolis border, particularly around Highway 100 and France Avenue, see slightly higher property crime due to easier access for transient offenders. The Morningside and Country Club districts, with their lower-density housing and active neighborhood watches, report the lowest crime rates. Overall, Edina’s safety profile is excellent by national standards, but the city’s proximity to a metro area with progressive justice policies means residents must remain vigilant against property crime that originates outside its borders.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-24T06:44:24.000Z
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