Minnesota

Snapshot

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Retire by stateFigures verified May 31, 2026

Minnesota retirement guide

Retiring in Minnesota

Minnesota gives back a summer of lakes, woods, and waterfalls in return for a hard winter. Few states match the water.

See the state numbersBuild a map around Minnesota

Could fit

You love water, forests, and four real seasons, and cold and snow do not scare you off.

Look closely at

The winters are long, dark, and below zero. The state income tax can also reach some of your Social Security and pension income.

Chaska Town Course in Minnesota

Planning watch

Social Security tax depends on your income

From Minnesota Department of Revenue

Deacon's Lodge golf course in Minnesota

Cost rank

#30

Cost of living by state

Enger Park Golf Course in Minnesota

Recreation rank

#24

Hobby-cost comparison

Minneapolis skyline in Minnesota

State guide

Minnesota

The whole move picture

Giants Ridge - The Quarry golf course in Minnesota

Event feed

137 tracked

Open live events by state

Cost of living

$4,925/mo

Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Minnesota comes out near $4,925 a month.

#30 of 50 for lowest everyday cost, using the same BEA index shown here.

U.S. avg 100
More affordablePricier

Minnesota runs about 1% below the national average on everyday prices.

Find Minnesota in the rankingBEA Regional Price Parities

Cost of recreation

104

Our index of how Minnesota's estimated annual hobby costs compare with the rest of the country.

#24 of 50 for lower estimated recreation cost, using the same hobby-cost model shown here.

U.S. avg 100
More affordablePricier

Minnesota's modeled hobby costs run about 4% above the national average. The modeled average is about $1,094 a year across the activity basket.

Est. Our own measure from 8 modeled hobbies. It uses published state fees where we have them, then adds recurring hobby assumptions like gear, trips, memberships, and upkeep. 100 = national average.

Find Minnesota in the ranking

How the plan models Minnesota

The state lines the calculator actually changes.

Start here for the whole state picture. The quick math sits beside the things that change daily life: taxes, home costs, care costs, towns, weather, and what Minnesota actually feels like.

Tax and Medicare

Check the Minnesota income picture.

Estimate how Minnesota treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.

Social Security

Check thresholds

Pension

Check exemptions

IRA / 401(k)

Generally taxed

Compare states

Cost of living

$4,925/mo

Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Minnesota prices translate to about $4,925 a month.

BEA Regional Price Parities

State income tax

~6.0%

Minnesota can tax some Social Security income and uses a 6% blended planning rate for taxable retirement-income context. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals can still need a state-tax line in Minnesota, with exemptions and local rules checked against current state guidance.

Tax Foundation

Social Security

Taxed

Minnesota is one of the states where Social Security can still need a state-tax check.

AARP / IRS Pub. 915

Property tax

1.1%

Property tax is local, but the Minnesota state-level planning rate used here is 1.1% of home value. On a $350,000 home, that is about $3,900 a year before county detail.

Tax Foundation

Sales tax

8.1%

Tax Foundation puts Minnesota's 2026 average combined state and local sales tax near 8.1%, ranked 15 among states in that table.

Tax Foundation

Vehicle costs

Check cars

Vehicle costs need a separate check in Minnesota because value-based vehicle taxes or registration-linked property taxes can show up in the car budget.

FreeTaxUSA vehicle-tax guide
Build a map around MinnesotaPrice the Minnesota retirement number

Long-term care in Minnesota

The care cliff, in Minnesota dollars.

CareScout and Genworth 2025 median costs, compared with the national median. Long-term care is a separate planning layer from ordinary Medicare costs.

Assisted living

$6,573/mo

About $78,870 a year, 6% higher than the national median.

Nursing home (semi-private)

$10,646/mo

About $127,750 a year, 11% higher than the national median.

Home caregiver

$8,389/mo

About $100,672 a year, 26% higher than the national median.

Full Minnesota long-term-care breakdown

Activities & recreation in Minnesota

What there is to do, with the sources.

How the things people retire for actually look in Minnesota. Each links to the full activity guide.

Fishing

Minnesota's roughly 11,800 lakes and miles of rivers give anglers access to walleye, northern pike, bass, and trout on public waters throughout the state. The DNR issues licenses online and maintains an interactive map of public fishing accesses at all major water bodies.

$439/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

One resident annual license, plus tackle, bait, simple access trips, and replacement gear.

Published input

Minnesota DNR individual angling license (resident): $25 per year. Valid March 1 through February 28 of the following year.

Minnesota DNR Fishing Licenses · as of 2026

Where to go

Minnesota DNR Fishing
Boating & water

Minnesota's 11,800-plus lakes support thousands of public boat ramps managed by the DNR, and popular destinations include Lake Minnetonka, Mille Lacs Lake, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for paddling. The DNR requires registration for motorized watercraft and maintains a public access locator online.

$4,622/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

A modest owned boat, including registration, insurance, storage, maintenance, fuel, and basic upkeep.

Published input

Minnesota DNR watercraft registration (3-year): pleasure craft less than 17 feet is $36 base registration plus $25 aquatic invasive species surcharge plus issuing fee. Registrations valid for 3 calendar years.

Published range: $36 to $209.

Minnesota DNR Watercraft Licenses Registration Fees · as of 2023

Where to go

Minnesota DNR Boating
Pickleball & tennis

Minneapolis and Saint Paul parks departments operate outdoor and indoor pickleball courts at multiple recreation centers, and USA Pickleball lists dozens of club locations across the Twin Cities metro area. Many community centers offer dedicated senior open-play times on weekday mornings.

$237/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

30 court visits per year, plus paddle replacement, balls, league fees, and small club costs.

Published input

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board offers outdoor dedicated pickleball courts at Dickman Park, Lake Nokomis Park, and Loring Park. Outdoor courts are free and open to the public.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Pickleball · as of 2025

Where to go

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Arts & culture

The Twin Cities support major institutions including the Minneapolis Institute of Art (free general admission), the Guthrie Theater, and the Minnesota Orchestra, along with the Northrup at the University of Minnesota for lifelong learning. Smaller cities like Rochester and Duluth have their own arts centers and symphony programs.

$473/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

8 museum, theater, or cultural visits per year, plus a modest membership or ticket budget.

Published input

Walker Art Center (Minneapolis): senior (65+) admission $16.

Published range: $16 to $18.

Walker Art Center Plan Your Visit · as of 2026

Where to go

Minneapolis Institute of Art
Social & community

Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) connects older adults to services statewide via a free call at 800-333-2433, and Trellis serves as the designated Area Agency on Aging for the Twin Cities metro under the Minnesota Board on Aging. Regional AAAs cover all 87 counties and fund congregate meal sites, volunteer programs, and caregiver support.

$178/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

Senior-center, club, class, trip, or program costs beyond any published membership fee.

No state-published fee is attached to this activity, so the estimate uses the recurring-cost assumption only.

Where to go

Minnesota Aging Pathways
Hiking & trails

Minnesota has 75 state parks with marked hiking trails ranging from the flat Gitchi-Gami State Trail along Lake Superior to the wooded bluffs of Gooseberry Falls State Park, and the DNR lists paved rail-trails such as the 112-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail suitable for all ability levels. An annual vehicle permit covers entry to all state parks.

$676/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

12 trail or park visits per year, plus footwear, basic gear, parking, and local travel.

Published input

Minnesota State Parks year-round vehicle permit: $35 provides unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for a full year from the month of purchase.

Minnesota DNR State Parks Vehicle Permit · as of 2025

Where to go

Minnesota DNR State Parks and Trails
Golf

Rochester operates four city-run courses including Eastwood Golf Course (18 holes), and the Minneapolis park system maintains more than a dozen public courses across the metro area. Senior and resident discount rates are common at municipal courses, and the Minnesota Golf Association lists over 400 public and semi-private courses statewide.

$1,617/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

24 public rounds per year, plus equipment refresh, range balls, carts, and other course extras.

Published input

Baker National Golf Course (Medina, MN), Three Rivers Park District: 18-hole regular rate $51; senior (62+) $46. Rates vary by season and tee time.

Published range: $41 to $51.

Baker National Golf Three Rivers Park District 2026 Rates · as of 2026

Where to go

City of Rochester Parks and Recreation
Gardening

The University of Minnesota Extension runs a statewide Master Gardener program with chapters in most counties, and Minneapolis alone operates dozens of community garden plots through its Park and Recreation Board. The outdoor growing season in Minnesota typically runs from late May through mid-September.

$513/yrEst.

Estimated annual hobby cost

Seeds, soil, tools, replacement plants, water, and a modest home or community-garden setup.

Published input

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board community garden plots are free; residents apply annually. No plot fee.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Community Gardens · as of 2025

Where to go

University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener

Things to do in Minnesota

What a week can look like.

Walk the North Shore waterfalls

The North Shore of Lake Superior links up state parks like Gooseberry Falls. Short loop trails there reach the upper, middle, and lower falls. The DNR maps out a weekend itinerary, so you can set the pace to match what your knees want.

Minnesota DNR

Hike Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls is one of the busiest stops on the shore. A short walk from the visitor center brings you to the big waterfalls. Want a longer day? A restored stretch of the Superior Hiking Trail runs through the park.

Minnesota DNR

Camp and hike at Glacial Lakes State Park

Glacial Lakes State Park sits in west-central Minnesota, where trails loop around a spring-fed lake. You get camping, fishing, and quiet prairie-and-water views, well away from the crowds on the shore.

Minnesota DNR

What to know about Minnesota

What can change the month.

Social Security tax depends on your income

Minnesota has a Social Security benefit subtraction, but it fades as your income climbs. The state Department of Revenue says it shrinks by 10 percent for every $4,000 of adjusted gross income above the threshold. So if your income runs high, you may still owe state tax on your benefits.

Minnesota Department of Revenue

Most pension income is taxed

Minnesota taxes most pension income, public or private, the same way it taxes wages. A nonpartisan legislative research summary lays this out. If you live on a pension, plan for state tax on those checks.

Minnesota House of Representatives Research

Winters are long and genuinely cold

Minnesota winters bring deep cold, snow, and short days for months on end. Ice fishing, skiing, and snow can be part of the appeal. Cold or long stretches indoors can become the deal-breaker.

Things to do in Minnesota

What there is to do across Minnesota.

9 tracked categories across Minnesota. Each card opens the search filtered to that activity.

Golf

Golf

Public, resort, and municipal courses near retirement towns.

34 places tracked

Fish

Fishing

Boat ramps, piers, lakes, and shore access.

144 places tracked

Trails

Hiking trails

Named trails, parks, and nature reserves for a real walk.

66 places tracked

Play

Pickleball

Courts and public places to play.

18 places tracked

Arts

Arts and culture

Museums, galleries, theaters, and cultural stops.

31 places tracked

Meet

Community

Senior centers, community centers, and places to meet people.

11 places tracked

Birds

Birding

Top-rated birding hotspots from the eBird community.

97 places tracked

Camp

Camping & RV

Federal campgrounds, RV parks, dispersed sites, and horse-friendly camps.

123 places tracked

Scenic

Wildlife & scenic

Wildlife and whale viewing, scenic drives, hot springs, stargazing spots.

15 places tracked

Upcoming events in Minnesota

See all events

Community & civic

JUL14

rochesterpubliclibrary · Rochester, MN

Community & civic

Come See the Sun!

rochesterpubliclibrary

Mayo Park (Behind the Rochester Art Center / Mayo Civic Center) Join us for a sidewalk astronomy event focused on safe solar observing! Through specially filtered telescopes, you'll get an up-close look at the Sun's surface. Amateur astronomers from the Rochester Astronomy Club will be on hand to explain what you're seeing and answer questions about our nearest star. This event (dependent on at least partly cloudy skies) is a great chance to experience the Sun in a whole new way! There is no...

OutdoorsBring the grandkids
Details at rochesterpubliclibrary

Community & civic

JUL14

becls · Mankato, MN

Community & civic

Virtual Author: Karin Slaughter

becls

Join us for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of We Are All Guilty Here, in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, The Secrets We Hide. In The Secrets We Hide, Slaughter welcomes readers back to North Falls. A small town with big secrets… 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behi...

Bring the grandkids
Details at becls

Classes & arts

JUL14

rochesterpubliclibrary · Rochester, MN

Classes & artsHappens regularly

Craft & Chat

rochesterpubliclibrary

We invite you to get creative at the library! Stop by the Library 2nd Floor area every Tuesday between 4-7PM to work on a project you bring from home and meet new friends.

Arts and craftsWeeklyIndoors
Details at rochesterpubliclibrary

Community & civic

JUL15

rochesterpubliclibrary · Rochester, MN

Community & civic

Spanish Conversation Group

rochesterpubliclibrary

2nd Floor Meeting Room Join us for casual conversation in Spanish! All levels are welcome; native speakers also encouraged. ¡Vengan Uds. a una conversación informal en español! Todos niveles son bienvenidos; también se valoran los hablantes nativos. This program is a partnership with the Rochester MN Spanish Conversation Group.

Bring the grandkids
Details at rochesterpubliclibrary

Community & civic

JUL15

rochesterpubliclibrary · Rochester, MN

Community & civic

LWV Candidate Primary Forum Ward 5 City Council

rochesterpubliclibrary

Rochester Public Library Auditorium The League of Women voters, in conjunction with the Rochester Post Bulletin, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Rochester Public Library, conduct and present primary candidate forums for local, non-partisan contested positions. The Forums will be livestreamed and can easily be accessed through www.LWVRochester.org. They are also available for later viewing the same way. Doors open at 6PM, the forum starts at 6:30PM. The forum for Rochester Ward...

IndoorsBring the grandkids
Details at rochesterpubliclibrary

Dance & fitness

JUL16

rochesterpubliclibrary · Rochester, MN

Dance & fitness

Family Dance Party

rochesterpubliclibrary

Rochester Public Library Auditorium Bring the whole family for 30 minutes of non-stop dancing fun! Special themes will be offered on the following dates: - June 11: Construction Zone Dance Party - July 9: Beach Day Dance Party - August 13: Firefly Glow Dance Party

Dance and fitnessOutdoorsIndoors
Details at rochesterpubliclibrary

Weighing two states?

Put Minnesota next to another state.

Compare cost of living, taxes, Social Security treatment, property and sales tax, and long-term-care costs side by side.

Compare states side by sideBrowse every state

Common questions

Retiring in Minnesota, answered.

Does Minnesota tax retirement income?

Minnesota is one of the states where Social Security can still need a state-tax check. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals can still need a state-tax line in Minnesota, with exemptions and local rules checked against current state guidance. Minnesota can tax some Social Security income and uses a 6% blended planning rate for taxable retirement-income context.

AARP: how states tax retirement income

Is Minnesota cheaper or more expensive than average?

BEA regional price parities put Minnesota about 1.4% below the U.S. average cost level. That price level is the first reason a national retirement number needs a Minnesota translation.

BEA Regional Price Parities

What does long-term care cost in Minnesota?

In the CareScout and Genworth 2025 medians, Minnesota assisted living runs about $78,870 a year (6% higher than the national median) and a semi-private nursing-home room about $127,750 a year (11% higher than the national median).

CareScout / Genworth Cost of Care

Does Minnesota tax Social Security benefits?

It can. Minnesota offers a subtraction that frees some or all of your benefits from tax, but the break fades as your adjusted gross income climbs. The state Department of Revenue publishes the income thresholds where the subtraction starts to shrink.

Minnesota Department of Revenue

Sources

Build the full map

See what Minnesota does to your retirement plan.

Enter your real spending, income, home, and dreams. The planner applies the Minnesota tax and cost assumptions for you, then shows the years the money has to last.

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