Compare cities · September 2026
Arden Hills vs. Gem Lake
Homes in Gem Lake sold for a median $610,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 33% more than in Arden Hills ($457,500). Homes sold faster in Arden Hills: 47 days on market on average, against 76 in Gem Lake. Arden Hills is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 20 minutes by car, against 30. The two are about 6 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Arden Hills | Gem Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $457,500 | $610,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | 0.0% | +3.8% |
| Homes sold | 84 | 4 |
| Days on market | 47 | 76 |
| Share of original list price | 99.0% | 92.8% |
| Price per square foot | $217 | $178 |
| New listings | 103 | 8 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 13 | 1 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 1.8 | 0.7 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Arden Hills | Gem Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $441,900 | $568,900 |
| Median year built | 1978 | 1976 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 73% | 97% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82% | 87% |
| Median rent | $1,710 | $1,800 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Arden Hills | Gem Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 9,490 | 515 |
| Land area | 8.5 sq mi | 1 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 20 min | 30 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 20 min | 21 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 31 min | 33 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 33 min | 37 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 18 min | 27 min |
| Average commute to work | 16.8 min | 19.4 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 7 | 1 |
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)
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 Gem Lake?
Is Arden Hills or Gem Lake more expensive?
Gem Lake. The median sale price was $610,000 there and $457,500 in Arden Hills 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 Gem Lake?
Arden Hills: 47 days on market on average against 76, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Arden Hills, about 20 minutes by car in light traffic (30 from Gem Lake). To downtown Saint Paul: 20 minutes from Arden Hills, 21 from Gem Lake.
How far apart are Arden Hills and Gem Lake?
About 6 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Arden Hills or Gem Lake?
Arden Hills has more: 7 lakes of 10+ acres touch Arden Hills (largest: Lake Johanna) and 1 touch Gem Lake (largest: Gem Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Arden Hills and Gem Lake?
Arden Hills: Mounds View Public School District. Gem Lake: White Bear Lake 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 Gem Lake?
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 Gem Lake.
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.