Compare cities · September 2026
Columbus vs. Forest Lake
Homes in Columbus sold for a median $480,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 12% more than in Forest Lake ($429,900). Homes sold faster in Columbus: 33 days on market on average, against 57 in Forest Lake. Columbus is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 41 minutes by car, against 42. The two are about 7 miles apart, roughly a 17-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Columbus | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $480,000 | $429,900 |
| Change from a year earlier | +1.1% | +5.5% |
| Homes sold | 36 | 301 |
| Days on market | 33 | 57 |
| Share of original list price | 98.0% | 98.2% |
| Price per square foot | $256 | $219 |
| New listings | 45 | 459 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 9 | 85 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.9 | 3.4 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Columbus | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $460,200 | $393,500 |
| Median year built | 1984 | 1988 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 91% | 73% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 89% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,653 | $1,421 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Columbus | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 4,307 | 20,700 |
| Land area | 44.8 sq mi | 30.5 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 41 min | 42 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 42 min | 40 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 53 min | 51 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 54 min | 55 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 39 min | 39 min |
| Average commute to work | 28.8 min | 24.2 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 10 | 9 |
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)
Forest Lake
School districts: Forest Lake Public School District
Largest lakes: Forest Lake (2,271 acres), Clear Lake (429 acres), Mud Lake (179 acres), Keewahtin Lake (92 acres), Higgins Lake (84 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 Forest Lake?
Is Columbus or Forest Lake more expensive?
Columbus. The median sale price was $480,000 there and $429,900 in Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake?
Columbus: 33 days on market on average against 57, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Columbus, about 41 minutes by car in light traffic (42 from Forest Lake). To downtown Saint Paul: 42 minutes from Columbus, 40 from Forest Lake.
How far apart are Columbus and Forest Lake?
About 7 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 17 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Columbus or Forest Lake?
Columbus has more: 10 lakes of 10+ acres touch Columbus (largest: Coon Lake) and 9 touch Forest Lake (largest: Forest Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Columbus and Forest Lake?
Columbus: Forest Lake Public School District. Forest Lake: 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 Forest Lake?
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 Forest Lake.
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.