Compare cities · September 2026
East Bethel vs. Forest Lake
Homes in Forest Lake sold for a median $429,900 over the 12 months through September 2026, 4% more than in East Bethel ($412,125). Homes sold faster in East Bethel: 55 days on market on average, against 57 in Forest Lake. Forest Lake's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1988 against 1983. Forest Lake is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 42 minutes by car, against 44. The two are about 14 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | East Bethel | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $412,125 | $429,900 |
| Change from a year earlier | −1.2% | +5.5% |
| Homes sold | 160 | 301 |
| Days on market | 55 | 57 |
| Share of original list price | 98.4% | 98.2% |
| Price per square foot | $216 | $219 |
| New listings | 225 | 459 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 51 | 85 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.8 | 3.4 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | East Bethel | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $363,900 | $393,500 |
| Median year built | 1983 | 1988 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 89% | 73% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 92% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,695 | $1,421 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | East Bethel | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 12,288 | 20,700 |
| Land area | 44.6 sq mi | 30.5 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 44 min | 42 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 46 min | 40 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 57 min | 51 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 59 min | 55 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 43 min | 39 min |
| Average commute to work | 32.4 min | 24.2 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 11 | 9 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
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)
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
East Bethel or Forest Lake?
Is East Bethel or Forest Lake more expensive?
Forest Lake. The median sale price was $429,900 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, East Bethel or Forest Lake?
East Bethel: 55 days on market on average against 57, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Forest Lake, about 42 minutes by car in light traffic (44 from East Bethel). To downtown Saint Paul: 46 minutes from East Bethel, 40 from Forest Lake.
How far apart are East Bethel and Forest Lake?
About 14 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, East Bethel or Forest Lake?
East Bethel has more: 11 lakes of 10+ acres touch East Bethel (largest: Coon Lake) and 9 touch Forest Lake (largest: Forest Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve East Bethel and Forest Lake?
East Bethel: St. Francis Area Schools and 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 East Bethel 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 East Bethel 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.