Compare cities · September 2026
Bloomington vs. Prior Lake
Homes in Prior Lake sold for a median $500,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 33% more than in Bloomington ($375,000). Homes sold faster in Bloomington: 36 days on market on average, against 62 in Prior Lake. Prior Lake's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1998 against 1972. Bloomington is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 21 minutes by car, against 36. The two are about 9 miles apart, roughly a 24-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Bloomington | Prior Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $375,000 | $500,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +1.0% | +2.3% |
| Homes sold | 951 | 423 |
| Days on market | 36 | 62 |
| Share of original list price | 99.5% | 97.2% |
| Price per square foot | $205 | $228 |
| New listings | 1,203 | 636 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 189 | 131 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.4 | 3.8 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Bloomington | Prior Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $361,700 | $450,700 |
| Median year built | 1972 | 1998 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 62% | 87% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66% | 86% |
| Median rent | $1,561 | $1,654 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Bloomington | Prior Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 88,344 | 28,018 |
| Land area | 34.7 sq mi | 16.3 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 21 min | 36 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 28 min | 42 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 16 min | 31 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 13 min | 28 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 24 min | 39 min |
| Average commute to work | 21 min | 24.7 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 10 | 10 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Bloomington
School districts: Bloomington Public School District
Largest lakes: Long Meadow Lake (829 acres), Anderson Lake (363 acres), Normandale\Nordmyr Lake (215 acres), Bush Lake (171 acres), Hyland Lake (84 acres)
Prior Lake
School districts: Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Shakopee Public School District
Largest lakes: Lower Prior Lake (956 acres), Spring Lake (592 acres), Upper Prior Lake (386 acres), Campbell Lake (62 acres), Howard Lake (61 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
Bloomington or Prior Lake?
Is Bloomington or Prior Lake more expensive?
Prior Lake. The median sale price was $500,000 there and $375,000 in Bloomington 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, Bloomington or Prior Lake?
Bloomington: 36 days on market on average against 62, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Bloomington, about 21 minutes by car in light traffic (36 from Prior Lake). To downtown Saint Paul: 28 minutes from Bloomington, 42 from Prior Lake.
How far apart are Bloomington and Prior Lake?
About 9 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 24 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Bloomington or Prior Lake?
They have the same number: 10 lakes of 10+ acres touch Bloomington (largest: Long Meadow Lake) and 10 touch Prior Lake (largest: Lower Prior Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Bloomington and Prior Lake?
Bloomington: Bloomington Public School District. Prior Lake: Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools and Shakopee 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 Bloomington or Prior 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 Bloomington and Prior 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.