Compare cities · September 2026
Arden Hills vs. Circle Pines
Homes in Arden Hills sold for a median $457,500 over the 12 months through September 2026, 49% more than in Circle Pines ($306,500). Homes sold faster in Circle Pines: 27 days on market on average, against 47 in Arden Hills. Arden Hills is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 20 minutes by car, against 26. The two are about 5 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Arden Hills | Circle Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $457,500 | $306,500 |
| Change from a year earlier | 0.0% | −2.7% |
| Homes sold | 84 | 92 |
| Days on market | 47 | 27 |
| Share of original list price | 99.0% | 100.0% |
| Price per square foot | $217 | $190 |
| New listings | 103 | 127 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 13 | 19 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 1.8 | 2.5 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Arden Hills | Circle Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $441,900 | $293,600 |
| Median year built | 1978 | 1981 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 73% | 88% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82% | 87% |
| Median rent | $1,710 | $1,496 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Arden Hills | Circle Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 9,490 | 4,944 |
| Land area | 8.5 sq mi | 1.7 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 20 min | 26 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 20 min | 27 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 31 min | 38 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 33 min | 40 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 18 min | 24 min |
| Average commute to work | 16.8 min | 21.9 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 7 | 2 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Arden Hills
School districts: Mounds View Public School District
Largest lakes: Lake Johanna (212 acres), Lake Josephine (116 acres), Round Lake (106 acres), Valentine Lake (64 acres), Little Johanna Lake (17 acres)
Circle Pines
School districts: Centennial Public School District
Largest lakes: Baldwin Lake (182 acres), Golden Lake (58 acres)
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
Arden Hills or Circle Pines?
Is Arden Hills or Circle Pines more expensive?
Arden Hills. The median sale price was $457,500 there and $306,500 in Circle Pines 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, Arden Hills or Circle Pines?
Circle Pines: 27 days on market on average against 47, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Arden Hills, about 20 minutes by car in light traffic (26 from Circle Pines). To downtown Saint Paul: 20 minutes from Arden Hills, 27 from Circle Pines.
How far apart are Arden Hills and Circle Pines?
About 5 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Arden Hills or Circle Pines?
Arden Hills has more: 7 lakes of 10+ acres touch Arden Hills (largest: Lake Johanna) and 2 touch Circle Pines (largest: Baldwin Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Arden Hills and Circle Pines?
Arden Hills: Mounds View Public School District. Circle Pines: Centennial 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 Arden Hills or Circle Pines?
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 Arden Hills and Circle Pines.
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.