Compare cities · September 2026
Apple Valley vs. Empire
Homes in Empire sold for a median $410,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 8% more than in Apple Valley ($380,000). Homes sold faster in Empire: 40 days on market on average, against 43 in Apple Valley. Empire's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1997 against 1990. Apple Valley is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 28 minutes by car, against 51. The two are about 7 miles apart, roughly a 25-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Apple Valley | Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $380,000 | $410,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | 0.0% | +13.9% |
| Homes sold | 655 | 32 |
| Days on market | 43 | 40 |
| Share of original list price | 98.9% | 99.4% |
| Price per square foot | $191 | $201 |
| New listings | 970 | 41 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 183 | 4 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.4 | 1.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Apple Valley | Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $370,400 | $469,500 |
| Median year built | 1990 | 1997 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 78% | 98% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73% | 94% |
| Median rent | $1,738 | $2,052 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Apple Valley | Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 55,272 | 3,068 |
| Land area | 16.9 sq mi | 30.5 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 28 min | 51 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 26 min | 46 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 19 min | 41 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 14 min | 37 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 30 min | 53 min |
| Average commute to work | 24.6 min | 30.4 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 6 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Apple Valley
School districts: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
Largest lakes: Alimagnet Lake (104 acres), Lac Lavon Lake (66 acres), Farquar Lake (64 acres), Keller Lake (55 acres), Cobblestone Lake (35 acres)
Empire
School districts: Farmington Public School District, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
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
Apple Valley or Empire?
Is Apple Valley or Empire more expensive?
Empire. The median sale price was $410,000 there and $380,000 in Apple Valley 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, Apple Valley or Empire?
Empire: 40 days on market on average against 43, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Apple Valley, about 28 minutes by car in light traffic (51 from Empire). To downtown Saint Paul: 26 minutes from Apple Valley, 46 from Empire.
How far apart are Apple Valley and Empire?
About 7 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 25 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Apple Valley or Empire?
Apple Valley has more: 6 lakes of 10+ acres touch Apple Valley (largest: Alimagnet Lake) and 0 touch Empire, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Apple Valley and Empire?
Apple Valley: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan. Empire: Farmington Public School District and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Apple Valley or Empire?
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.
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Apple Valley and Empire.
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.