These SE MN Towns Now Among Minnesota’s Top Spots to Buy a House

A brand new 2026 ranking just dropped, and it turns out some of the absolute best places to buy a home in the entire state are actually right here in Southeastern Minnesota.

And we’re not just talking “nice little towns.”

We’re talking places that are ranking high for affordability, home values, low property taxes, and overall quality of life - the kind of spots where buying a home actually feels doable.

Several communities in our area made the list, and not just somewhere near the bottom either. We’re talking high on the list.

Out of more than 2,000 spots to lay down your roots in Minnesota, five Southeastern Minnesota towns landed in the top 20… and one small town came in at an impressive #2 overall. Let's run them down.

#12. Mantorville

Mantorville, a small town in Dodge County, has just over 1,000 residents, offering a quiet, rural feel where most people own their homes. According to Niche, it has a nice mix of local bars and coffee shops, it attracts young professionals and is known for its above-average public schools.

#7. Chatfield

Chatfield, a small town in Fillmore County with around 2,500 residents, offers a quiet, friendly suburban vibe where most people own their homes. With plenty of parks and above-average public schools, it’s a popular choice for families and young professionals.

Related: Towns With The Most Expensive Homes in the Rochester Area

#6.Caledonia

Caledonia, in Houston County, has a population of around 2,800. It's a quiet area where most residents own their homes. Niche says it’s especially popular with retirees and is known for its highly rated public schools.

#4. Cascade Township

A suburb of Rochester with about 2,800 residents, Cascade Township offers a peaceful mix of suburban and rural living where most people own their homes. The community is dotted with parks and coffee shops, making it a great spot to settle.

#2. St. Charles

Coming in an impressive 2nd place statewide, St. Charles is a charming town about a half-hour from Rochester with around 4,000 residents. This quiet community is full of parks, attracts families and young professionals, and most residents own their homes. With above-average public schools, it’s easy to see why St. Charles ranks so high.

The only place that beat St. Charles is Page, a neighborhood in Minneapolis. Not a bad showing for our neck of the woods.