Compare cities · September 2026
Burnsville vs. Empire
Homes in Empire sold for a median $410,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 7% more than in Burnsville ($382,750). Homes sold faster in Empire: 40 days on market on average, against 46 in Burnsville. Empire's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1997 against 1982. Burnsville is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 24 minutes by car, against 51. The two are about 11 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Burnsville | Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $382,750 | $410,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +2.1% | +13.9% |
| Homes sold | 708 | 32 |
| Days on market | 46 | 40 |
| Share of original list price | 98.6% | 99.4% |
| Price per square foot | $179 | $201 |
| New listings | 983 | 41 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 162 | 4 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.8 | 1.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Burnsville | Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $355,200 | $469,500 |
| Median year built | 1982 | 1997 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 64% | 98% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65% | 94% |
| Median rent | $1,513 | $2,052 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Burnsville | Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 64,864 | 3,068 |
| Land area | 24.9 sq mi | 30.5 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 24 min | 51 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 28 min | 46 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 20 min | 41 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 15 min | 37 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 27 min | 53 min |
| Average commute to work | 23.3 min | 30.4 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 8 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Burnsville
School districts: Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, Lakeville Public School District
Largest lakes: Black Dog Lake (510 acres), Crystal Lake (293 acres), Alimagnet Lake (104 acres), Lac Lavon Lake (66 acres), Keller Lake (55 acres)
Empire
School districts: Farmington Public School District, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
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
Burnsville or Empire?
Is Burnsville or Empire more expensive?
Empire. The median sale price was $410,000 there and $382,750 in Burnsville 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, Burnsville or Empire?
Empire: 40 days on market on average against 46, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Burnsville, about 24 minutes by car in light traffic (51 from Empire). To downtown Saint Paul: 28 minutes from Burnsville, 46 from Empire.
How far apart are Burnsville and Empire?
About 11 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Burnsville or Empire?
Burnsville has more: 8 lakes of 10+ acres touch Burnsville (largest: Black Dog Lake) and 0 touch Empire, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Burnsville and Empire?
Burnsville: Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan and Lakeville Public School District. Empire: Farmington Public School District and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Burnsville or Empire?
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
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Burnsville and Empire.
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.