Compare cities · September 2026
Circle Pines vs. Columbus
Homes in Columbus sold for a median $480,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 57% more than in Circle Pines ($306,500). Homes sold faster in Circle Pines: 27 days on market on average, against 33 in Columbus. Circle Pines is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 26 minutes by car, against 41. The two are about 8 miles apart, roughly a 20-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Circle Pines | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $306,500 | $480,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | −2.7% | +1.1% |
| Homes sold | 92 | 36 |
| Days on market | 27 | 33 |
| Share of original list price | 100.0% | 98.0% |
| Price per square foot | $190 | $256 |
| New listings | 127 | 45 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 19 | 9 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.5 | 2.9 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Circle Pines | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $293,600 | $460,200 |
| Median year built | 1981 | 1984 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 88% | 91% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 87% | 89% |
| Median rent | $1,496 | $1,653 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Circle Pines | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 4,944 | 4,307 |
| Land area | 1.7 sq mi | 44.8 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 26 min | 41 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 27 min | 42 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 38 min | 53 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 40 min | 54 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 24 min | 39 min |
| Average commute to work | 21.9 min | 28.8 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 2 | 10 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Circle Pines
School districts: Centennial Public School District
Largest lakes: Baldwin Lake (182 acres), Golden Lake (58 acres)
Columbus
School districts: Forest Lake Public School District
Largest lakes: Coon Lake (1,481 acres), Howard Lake (456 acres), Crossways Lake (355 acres), Rondeau Lake (248 acres), Mud Lake (179 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
Circle Pines or Columbus?
Is Circle Pines or Columbus more expensive?
Columbus. The median sale price was $480,000 there and $306,500 in Circle Pines 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, Circle Pines or Columbus?
Circle Pines: 27 days on market on average against 33, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Circle Pines, about 26 minutes by car in light traffic (41 from Columbus). To downtown Saint Paul: 27 minutes from Circle Pines, 42 from Columbus.
How far apart are Circle Pines and Columbus?
About 8 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 20 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Circle Pines or Columbus?
Columbus has more: 2 lakes of 10+ acres touch Circle Pines (largest: Baldwin Lake) and 10 touch Columbus (largest: Coon Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Circle Pines and Columbus?
Circle Pines: Centennial Public School District. Columbus: Forest Lake 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 Circle Pines or Columbus?
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 Circle Pines and Columbus.
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.