Compare cities · September 2026
Afton vs. Lakeland
Homes in Afton sold for a median $770,500 over the 12 months through September 2026, 101% more than in Lakeland ($382,500). Homes sold faster in Lakeland: 38 days on market on average, against 61 in Afton. Lakeland is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 37 minutes by car, against 41. The two are about 5 miles apart, roughly a 14-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Afton | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $770,500 | $382,500 |
| Change from a year earlier | +0.7% | +2.7% |
| Homes sold | 30 | 17 |
| Days on market | 61 | 38 |
| Share of original list price | 93.8% | 99.6% |
| Price per square foot | $257 | $257 |
| New listings | 48 | 28 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 19 | 5 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 7.5 | 1.7 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Afton | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $679,300 | $373,900 |
| Median year built | 1979 | 1976 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 100% | 97% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 98% | 87% |
| Median rent | $2,333 | $1,668 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Afton | Lakeland |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 2,949 | 1,664 |
| Land area | 25.1 sq mi | 2.1 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 41 min | 37 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 30 min | 26 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 34 min | 37 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 35 min | 38 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 40 min | 36 min |
| Average commute to work | 28.4 min | 24.5 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 1 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Afton
School districts: Stillwater Area Public School District, South Washington County School District
Largest lakes: Lake Edith (81 acres)
Lakeland
School districts: Stillwater Area Public School District
How we compare places: by their homes, housing market and location only, from public sources, never by who lives there. Medians describe the middle home; both places have homes well above and below them.
Quick answers
Afton or Lakeland?
Is Afton or Lakeland more expensive?
Afton. The median sale price was $770,500 there and $382,500 in Lakeland over the 12 months through September 2026, according to the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update. The median is the middle sale, so both have homes well above and below it.
Where do homes sell faster, Afton or Lakeland?
Lakeland: 38 days on market on average against 61, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Lakeland, about 37 minutes by car in light traffic (41 from Afton). To downtown Saint Paul: 30 minutes from Afton, 26 from Lakeland.
How far apart are Afton and Lakeland?
About 5 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 14 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Afton or Lakeland?
Afton has more: 1 lakes of 10+ acres touch Afton (largest: Lake Edith) and 0 touch Lakeland, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Afton and Lakeland?
Afton: Stillwater Area Public School District and South Washington County School District. Lakeland: Stillwater Area Public School District. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Afton or Lakeland?
It depends on your budget, the kind of home you want and where you need to get to each day. This page compares the homes, prices and locations; a Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both and walk you through what's selling now.
Keep comparing
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Afton and Lakeland.
A Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both, tell you what's selling and for how much right now, and help you decide. There's no cost to buyers.