Compare cities · September 2026
Belle Plaine vs. Cologne
Homes in Cologne sold for a median $409,950 over the 12 months through September 2026, 17% more than in Belle Plaine ($349,995). Homes sold faster in Belle Plaine: 41 days on market on average, against 106 in Cologne. Cologne's homes are newer, with a median year built of 2004 against 1999. Cologne is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 47 minutes by car, against 58. The two are about 10 miles apart, roughly a 20-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Belle Plaine | Cologne |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $349,995 | $409,950 |
| Change from a year earlier | +6.9% | 0.0% |
| Homes sold | 128 | 30 |
| Days on market | 41 | 106 |
| Share of original list price | 98.7% | 99.0% |
| Price per square foot | $186 | $215 |
| New listings | 172 | 58 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 40 | 19 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 4.1 | 6.7 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Belle Plaine | Cologne |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $318,200 | $383,600 |
| Median year built | 1999 | 2004 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 85% | 92% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84% | 91% |
| Median rent | $1,342 | $585 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Belle Plaine | Cologne |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 7,444 | 2,097 |
| Land area | 6 sq mi | 1.8 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 58 min | 47 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 66 min | 55 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 54 min | 43 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 50 min | 39 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 60 min | 49 min |
| Average commute to work | 26 min | 26.7 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 1 | 2 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Belle Plaine
School districts: Belle Plaine Public School District
Largest lakes: Horse Shoe Lake (23 acres)
Cologne
School districts: Central Public School District
Largest lakes: Benton Lake (47 acres), Meuwissen Lake (24 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
Belle Plaine or Cologne?
Is Belle Plaine or Cologne more expensive?
Cologne. The median sale price was $409,950 there and $349,995 in Belle Plaine 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, Belle Plaine or Cologne?
Belle Plaine: 41 days on market on average against 106, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Cologne, about 47 minutes by car in light traffic (58 from Belle Plaine). To downtown Saint Paul: 66 minutes from Belle Plaine, 55 from Cologne.
How far apart are Belle Plaine and Cologne?
About 10 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 20 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Belle Plaine or Cologne?
Cologne has more: 1 lakes of 10+ acres touch Belle Plaine (largest: Horse Shoe Lake) and 2 touch Cologne (largest: Benton Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Belle Plaine and Cologne?
Belle Plaine: Belle Plaine Public School District. Cologne: Central 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 Belle Plaine or Cologne?
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 Belle Plaine and Cologne.
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.