Is Minnesota dog friendly?

We analyzed 362 cities across Minnesota. By default, we surface the strongest cities with at least 10,000 residents, then let you switch to the full statewide ranking.

✅State Preemption Law Active: Local cities in Minnesota are legally banned from enacting breed-specific legislation against your dog.

State Average Score

B+

89/100

Paw Score™

Top representative city: Austin (A+)

Derived strictly from local government data

Statewide Vet Density

2.6clinics / 10k people

Avg Walkable Days

208days without extreme weather

BSL Restricted Cities

0known local breed bans

Data Journalist Analysis

The Leaderboard Disparity

When comparing 101 representative cities (10k+ residents) in Minnesota, the leaderboard works best as a relative comparison surface, not a blanket relocation recommendation. Austin is the strongest performer in this 101 representative cities (10k+ residents) set with a Paw Score Grade of A+, helped by 208 walkable days per year and comparatively strong veterinary access. East Bethel still trails this comparison set at C+, which matters because a state-level laggard is not always a disaster city so much as a place with thinner margins for dog owners.

The Hidden Pet Tax

The economic reality of renting with a dog in Minnesota fluctuates wildly depending on the municipality. While the state median for pet rent sits around $47/mo, moving to a high-demand area like Victoria can push this implicit pet tax up to $85/mo. This doesn't even account for non-refundable localized pet deposits.

Safety & Legislative Climate

Minnesota has a statewide BSL preemption law. That generally limits local governments from adopting new breed bans, which reduces policy risk for owners of commonly targeted breeds. Housing rules, enforcement practices, and older local language can still vary, so local verification still matters.

Ranked Cities in Minnesota

Defaulting to cities with at least 10,000 residents so the leaderboard feels representative. Switch to the full statewide ranking any time.

362 cities audited

Showing the first 100 of 101 representative cities in Minnesota.

State Rank	City	Paw Score	Walkable Days	Pet Rent	Vet / 10K	Population
#1	Austin	A+	208	$30	5.71	26,167
#2	Marshall	A+	208	$26	4.91	13,880
#3	Forest Lake	A+	198	$48	6.74	20,678
#4	Oakdale	A+	198	$51	6.74	28,109
#5	Stillwater	A+	198	$49	6.74	19,323
#6	Red Wing	A+	208	$33	4.61	16,660
#7	Cottage Grove	A+	198	$58	6.74	40,124
#8	North Mankato	A+	208	$32	4.46	14,212
#9	Woodbury	A+	198	$64	6.74	76,945
#10	St. Peter	A+	208	$33	4.46	12,085
#11	Winona	A	208	$29	3.97	25,998
#12	Hugo	A	198	$66	6.74	16,076
#13	Hutchinson	A	208	$33	3.57	14,629
#14	New Ulm	A	208	$34	3.78	14,066
#15	Fairmont	A	208	$25	3.23	10,348
#16	Alexandria	A	184	$32	3.58	14,579
#17	Lake Elmo	A	198	$77	6.74	12,504
#18	St. Cloud	A	208	$35	3.63	69,926
#19	Brainerd	A	180	$30	4.07	14,474
#20	Owatonna	A	208	$35	2.5	26,462
#21	Faribault	A	208	$36	3.47	24,458
#22	Northfield	A-	208	$36	3.47	20,678
#23	South St. Paul	A-	198	$39	3.97	20,633
#24	Albert Lea	A-	208	$30	2.3	18,379
#25	Cloquet	A-	181	$34	3.61	12,582
#26	Farmington	A-	208	$45	3.97	23,675
#27	Hastings	A-	198	$41	3.97	22,050
#28	Duluth	A-	208	$36	3.03	86,863
#29	West St. Paul	A-	198	$42	3.97	21,076
#30	Sartell	A-	208	$42	3.63	19,620
#31	Eagan	A-	208	$56	3.97	68,158
#32	Buffalo	A-	190	$39	3.27	16,388
#33	Worthington	A-	180	$31	2.6	13,792
#34	Waconia	A-	197	$45	3.23	13,223
#35	North Branch	A-	174	$41	3.12	11,182
#36	Burnsville	A-	194	$53	3.97	64,295
#37	Inver Grove Heights	A-	198	$51	3.97	35,772
#38	Chaska	A-	197	$50	3.23	28,146
#39	Elk River	A-	190	$44	2.91	26,367
#40	St. Paul	A-	198	$44	2.93	307,762
#41	Lakeville	A-	208	$60	3.97	72,480
#42	Shakopee	A-	197	$52	3.55	45,002
#43	Willmar	A-	208	$29	1.63	21,136
#44	Minneapolis	A-	194	$47	3.17	426,845
#45	Apple Valley	A-	208	$59	3.97	55,696
#46	Rosemount	A-	208	$56	3.97	26,509
#47	Mankato	B+	208	$38	2.29	44,882
#48	Mendota Heights	B+	208	$54	3.97	11,644
#49	Prior Lake	B+	197	$54	3.55	27,832
#50	Savage	B+	197	$56	3.55	32,706
#51	Sauk Rapids	B+	208	$33	1.61	13,851
#52	Hibbing	B+	157	$26	3.03	16,100
#53	Chanhassen	B+	197	$61	3.23	26,001
#54	Rochester	B+	194	$46	2.56	121,638
#55	Brooklyn Park	B+	190	$47	3.17	84,349
#56	Big Lake	B+	180	$50	2.91	12,115
#57	Maplewood	B+	198	$46	2.93	40,981
#58	Monticello	B+	180	$51	3.27	14,607
#59	Richfield	B	194	$47	3.17	36,725
#60	Roseville	B+	198	$47	2.93	35,905
#61	Bloomington	B	194	$53	3.17	88,838
#62	Otsego	B	190	$59	3.27	21,358
#63	Brooklyn Center	B	190	$47	3.17	32,811
#64	Fridley	B	190	$44	2.71	29,944
#65	Hopkins	B	197	$47	3.17	18,696
#66	Fergus Falls	B	184	$29	1.96	14,138
#67	Detroit Lakes	B	170	$32	1.52	10,002
#68	New Brighton	B	190	$46	2.93	22,900
#69	New Hope	B	190	$46	3.17	21,402
#70	Anoka	B	190	$42	2.71	17,941
#71	Mounds View	B	190	$43	2.93	12,992
#72	Coon Rapids	B	190	$50	2.71	63,348
#73	Columbia Heights	B	190	$45	2.71	22,016
#74	Vadnais Heights	B	198	$47	2.93	12,789
#75	North St. Paul	B	198	$46	2.93	12,511
#76	Little Canada	B	198	$47	2.93	10,546
#77	St. Louis Park	B	194	$56	3.17	49,541
#78	Crystal	B	190	$50	3.17	22,685
#79	Ham Lake	B	190	$46	2.71	16,575
#80	Bemidji	B	170	$35	1.78	15,490
#81	White Bear Lake	B	198	$54	2.93	24,026
#82	Grand Rapids	B	157	$35	2.42	11,186
#83	Plymouth	B	190	$60	3.17	79,526
#84	Shoreview	B	190	$53	2.93	26,724
#85	Hermantown	B	181	$48	3.03	10,192
#86	Eden Prairie	B	197	$62	3.17	63,249
#87	Minnetonka	B	197	$62	3.17	53,256
#88	Edina	B	194	$61	3.17	53,125
#89	Champlin	B-	190	$56	3.17	23,450
#90	St. Michael	B-	190	$71	3.27	19,267
#91	Blaine	B-	190	$60	2.71	71,261
#92	Robbinsdale	B-	190	$55	3.17	14,318
#93	Rogers	B-	190	$54	3.17	13,405
#94	Moorhead	B-	178	$36	1.29	44,706
#95	Maple Grove	B-	190	$65	3.17	70,539
#96	Ramsey	B-	190	$62	2.71	28,070
#97	Lino Lakes	B-	190	$61	2.71	21,847
#98	Andover	B-	190	$64	2.71	32,825
#99	Golden Valley	B-	190	$64	3.17	21,927
#100	Victoria	B-	197	$85	3.23	10,972

Frequently Asked Questions

In the default 101 representative cities (10k+ residents) view, Austin currently ranks first in Minnesota. It posts a Paw Score grade of A+, supported by 208 walkable days per year, comparatively solid vet access, and more manageable pet housing costs than many competing cities.

The cost varies, but the median pet rent surcharge across Minnesota is approximately $47 per month. This is an extra fee piled onto your base rent, not including the one-time, often non-refundable, pet deposit. Renters with large breeds often face higher fees or outright exclusion in denser metro areas.

Minnesota has a statewide Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) preemption law. That generally blocks local governments from adopting new breed bans, but you should still confirm local enforcement and housing rules before moving.