Compare cities · September 2026
Columbia Heights vs. Dayton
Homes in Dayton sold for a median $590,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 95% more than in Columbia Heights ($302,000). Homes sold faster in Columbia Heights: 39 days on market on average, against 52 in Dayton. Dayton's homes are newer, with a median year built of 2011 against 1963. Columbia Heights is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 16 minutes by car, against 33. The two are about 15 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $302,000 | $590,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +0.7% | −1.3% |
| Homes sold | 251 | 255 |
| Days on market | 39 | 52 |
| Share of original list price | 99.5% | 98.4% |
| Price per square foot | $194 | $215 |
| New listings | 370 | 556 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 72 | 86 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.3 | 3.9 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $277,600 | $511,300 |
| Median year built | 1963 | 2011 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 70% | 86% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66% | 93% |
| Median rent | $1,295 | $1,651 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 22,358 | 10,744 |
| Land area | 3.4 sq mi | 23.4 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 16 min | 33 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 23 min | 43 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 30 min | 49 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 32 min | 46 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 16 min | 37 min |
| Average commute to work | 23.6 min | 26.8 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 2 | 7 |
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)
Dayton
School districts: Anoka-Hennepin Public School District, Elk River School District, Osseo Public School District
Largest lakes: Diamond Lake (405 acres), French Lake (216 acres), Hayden Lake (108 acres), Goose Lake (45 acres), Lake Laura (35 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 Dayton?
Is Columbia Heights or Dayton more expensive?
Dayton. The median sale price was $590,000 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 Dayton?
Columbia Heights: 39 days on market on average against 52, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Columbia Heights, about 16 minutes by car in light traffic (33 from Dayton). To downtown Saint Paul: 23 minutes from Columbia Heights, 43 from Dayton.
How far apart are Columbia Heights and Dayton?
About 15 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Columbia Heights or Dayton?
Dayton has more: 2 lakes of 10+ acres touch Columbia Heights (largest: Silver Lake) and 7 touch Dayton (largest: Diamond Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Columbia Heights and Dayton?
Columbia Heights: Columbia Heights Public School District. Dayton: Anoka-Hennepin Public School District, Elk River School District and Osseo 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 Dayton?
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 Columbia Heights and Dayton.
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.