Compare cities · September 2026
Bethel vs. Oak Grove
Homes in Oak Grove sold for a median $486,250 over the 12 months through September 2026, 45% more than in Bethel ($335,000). Homes sold faster in Bethel: 30 days on market on average, against 49 in Oak Grove. Oak Grove's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1989 against 1984. Bethel is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 50 minutes by car, against 51. The two are about 5 miles apart, roughly a 20-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Bethel | Oak Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $335,000 | $486,250 |
| Change from a year earlier | −8.1% | −4.2% |
| Homes sold | 7 | 118 |
| Days on market | 30 | 49 |
| Share of original list price | 96.6% | 99.5% |
| Price per square foot | $224 | $235 |
| New listings | 9 | 169 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 1 | 43 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 0.7 | 4.4 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Bethel | Oak Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $267,800 | $423,300 |
| Median year built | 1984 | 1989 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 90% | 97% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 86% | 94% |
| Median rent | $1,000 | $2,042 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Bethel | Oak Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 480 | 9,327 |
| Land area | 1 sq mi | 33.9 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 50 min | 51 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 52 min | 55 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 63 min | 66 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 65 min | 66 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 49 min | 52 min |
| Average commute to work | 37.1 min | 37.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 1 | 7 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Oak Grove
School districts: St. Francis Area Schools
Largest lakes: Lake George (489 acres), Mud Lake (73 acres), Norris Lake (54 acres), Hickey Lake (40 acres), Swan Lake (40 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
Bethel or Oak Grove?
Is Bethel or Oak Grove more expensive?
Oak Grove. The median sale price was $486,250 there and $335,000 in Bethel 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, Bethel or Oak Grove?
Bethel: 30 days on market on average against 49, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Bethel, about 50 minutes by car in light traffic (51 from Oak Grove). To downtown Saint Paul: 52 minutes from Bethel, 55 from Oak Grove.
How far apart are Bethel and Oak Grove?
About 5 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 20 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Bethel or Oak Grove?
Oak Grove has more: 1 lakes of 10+ acres touch Bethel (largest: Sandshore Lake) and 7 touch Oak Grove (largest: Lake George), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Bethel and Oak Grove?
Bethel: St. Francis Area Schools. Oak Grove: St. Francis Area Schools. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Bethel or Oak Grove?
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
More comparisons
Deciding between them?
See homes in Bethel and Oak Grove.
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.