Compare cities · September 2026
Columbia Heights vs. Hilltop
Hilltop's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1971 against 1963. Columbia Heights is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 16 minutes by car, against 17. The two are about a mile apart, roughly a 2-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Hilltop |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $302,000 | — |
| Change from a year earlier | +0.7% | — |
| Homes sold | 251 | 0 |
| Days on market | 39 | — |
| Share of original list price | 99.5% | — |
| Price per square foot | $194 | — |
| New listings | 370 | 4 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 72 | 1 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.3 | 1.0 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Hilltop |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $277,600 | $23,900 |
| Median year built | 1963 | 1971 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 70% | 10% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66% | 58% |
| Median rent | $1,295 | $1,127 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Columbia Heights | Hilltop |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 22,358 | 956 |
| Land area | 3.4 sq mi | 0.1 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 16 min | 17 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 23 min | 23 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 30 min | 31 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 32 min | 32 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 16 min | 17 min |
| Average commute to work | 23.6 min | 25.9 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 2 | 0 |
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)
Hilltop
School districts: Columbia Heights Public School District
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 Hilltop?
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Columbia Heights, about 16 minutes by car in light traffic (17 from Hilltop). To downtown Saint Paul: 23 minutes from Columbia Heights, 23 from Hilltop.
How far apart are Columbia Heights and Hilltop?
About 0 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 2 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Columbia Heights or Hilltop?
Columbia Heights has more: 2 lakes of 10+ acres touch Columbia Heights (largest: Silver Lake) and 0 touch Hilltop, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Columbia Heights and Hilltop?
Columbia Heights: Columbia Heights Public School District. Hilltop: Columbia Heights 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 Hilltop?
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 Hilltop.
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.