Compare cities · September 2026
Columbia Heights vs. Crystal
Homes in Crystal sold for a median $325,550 over the 12 months through September 2026, 8% more than in Columbia Heights ($302,000). Homes sold faster in Crystal: 34 days on market on average, against 39 in Columbia Heights. Crystal is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 15 minutes by car, against 16. The two are about 6 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $302,000 | $325,550 |
| Change from a year earlier | +0.7% | +1.7% |
| Homes sold | 251 | 300 |
| Days on market | 39 | 34 |
| Share of original list price | 99.5% | 100.0% |
| Price per square foot | $194 | $200 |
| New listings | 370 | 401 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 72 | 65 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.3 | 2.6 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $277,600 | $296,100 |
| Median year built | 1963 | 1959 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 70% | 80% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66% | 77% |
| Median rent | $1,295 | $1,467 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 22,358 | 22,082 |
| Land area | 3.4 sq mi | 5.8 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 16 min | 15 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 23 min | 29 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 30 min | 30 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 32 min | 27 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 16 min | 20 min |
| Average commute to work | 23.6 min | 21.4 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 2 | 1 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Columbia Heights
School districts: Columbia Heights Public School District
Largest lakes: Silver Lake (71 acres), Sandy Lake (16 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
Columbia Heights or Crystal?
Is Columbia Heights or Crystal more expensive?
Crystal. The median sale price was $325,550 there and $302,000 in Columbia Heights 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, Columbia Heights or Crystal?
Crystal: 34 days on market on average against 39, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Crystal, about 15 minutes by car in light traffic (16 from Columbia Heights). To downtown Saint Paul: 23 minutes from Columbia Heights, 29 from Crystal.
How far apart are Columbia Heights and Crystal?
About 6 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Columbia Heights or Crystal?
Columbia Heights has more: 2 lakes of 10+ acres touch Columbia Heights (largest: Silver Lake) and 1 touch Crystal (largest: Twin Lakes), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Columbia Heights and Crystal?
Columbia Heights: Columbia Heights Public School District. Crystal: Robbinsdale 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 Columbia Heights or Crystal?
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 Columbia Heights and Crystal.
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.