Compare cities · September 2026
Dayton vs. St. Francis
Homes in Dayton sold for a median $590,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 69% more than in St. Francis ($349,900). Homes sold faster in Dayton: 52 days on market on average, against 56 in St. Francis. Dayton's homes are newer, with a median year built of 2011 against 2001. Dayton is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 33 minutes by car, against 55. The two are about 15 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Dayton | St. Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $590,000 | $349,900 |
| Change from a year earlier | −1.3% | +1.7% |
| Homes sold | 255 | 144 |
| Days on market | 52 | 56 |
| Share of original list price | 98.4% | 99.0% |
| Price per square foot | $215 | $210 |
| New listings | 556 | 234 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 86 | 51 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.9 | 4.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Dayton | St. Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $511,300 | $327,600 |
| Median year built | 2011 | 2001 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 86% | 85% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 93% | 86% |
| Median rent | $1,651 | $1,287 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Dayton | St. Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 10,744 | 8,523 |
| Land area | 23.4 sq mi | 23.3 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 33 min | 55 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 43 min | 59 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 49 min | 70 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 46 min | 70 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 37 min | 56 min |
| Average commute to work | 26.8 min | 32.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 7 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
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)
St. Francis
School districts: St. Francis Area Schools
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
Dayton or St. Francis?
Is Dayton or St. Francis more expensive?
Dayton. The median sale price was $590,000 there and $349,900 in St. Francis 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, Dayton or St. Francis?
Dayton: 52 days on market on average against 56, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Dayton, about 33 minutes by car in light traffic (55 from St. Francis). To downtown Saint Paul: 43 minutes from Dayton, 59 from St. Francis.
How far apart are Dayton and St. Francis?
About 15 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Dayton or St. Francis?
Dayton has more: 7 lakes of 10+ acres touch Dayton (largest: Diamond Lake) and 0 touch St. Francis, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Dayton and St. Francis?
Dayton: Anoka-Hennepin Public School District, Elk River School District and Osseo Public School District. St. Francis: St. Francis Area Schools. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Dayton or St. Francis?
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 Dayton and St. Francis.
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.