Compare cities · September 2026
Columbus vs. East Bethel
Homes in Columbus sold for a median $480,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 16% more than in East Bethel ($412,125). Homes sold faster in Columbus: 33 days on market on average, against 55 in East Bethel. Columbus is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 41 minutes by car, against 44. The two are about 9 miles apart, roughly a 30-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Columbus | East Bethel |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $480,000 | $412,125 |
| Change from a year earlier | +1.1% | −1.2% |
| Homes sold | 36 | 160 |
| Days on market | 33 | 55 |
| Share of original list price | 98.0% | 98.4% |
| Price per square foot | $256 | $216 |
| New listings | 45 | 225 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 9 | 51 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.9 | 3.8 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Columbus | East Bethel |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $460,200 | $363,900 |
| Median year built | 1984 | 1983 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 91% | 89% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 89% | 92% |
| Median rent | $1,653 | $1,695 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Columbus | East Bethel |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 4,307 | 12,288 |
| Land area | 44.8 sq mi | 44.6 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 41 min | 44 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 42 min | 46 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 53 min | 57 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 54 min | 59 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 39 min | 43 min |
| Average commute to work | 28.8 min | 32.4 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 10 | 11 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
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)
East Bethel
School districts: St. Francis Area Schools, Forest Lake Public School District
Largest lakes: Coon Lake (1,481 acres), Fish Lake (334 acres), Deer Lake (185 acres), Neds Lake (178 acres), Minard Lake (119 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
Columbus or East Bethel?
Is Columbus or East Bethel more expensive?
Columbus. The median sale price was $480,000 there and $412,125 in East Bethel 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, Columbus or East Bethel?
Columbus: 33 days on market on average against 55, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Columbus, about 41 minutes by car in light traffic (44 from East Bethel). To downtown Saint Paul: 42 minutes from Columbus, 46 from East Bethel.
How far apart are Columbus and East Bethel?
About 9 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 30 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Columbus or East Bethel?
East Bethel has more: 10 lakes of 10+ acres touch Columbus (largest: Coon Lake) and 11 touch East Bethel (largest: Coon Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Columbus and East Bethel?
Columbus: Forest Lake Public School District. East Bethel: St. Francis Area Schools and 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 Columbus or East Bethel?
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 Columbus and East Bethel.
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.