Compare cities · September 2026
East Bethel vs. Nowthen
Homes in Nowthen sold for a median $575,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 40% more than in East Bethel ($412,125). Homes sold faster in East Bethel: 55 days on market on average, against 63 in Nowthen. Nowthen's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1995 against 1983. East Bethel is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 44 minutes by car, against 52. The two are about 11 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | East Bethel | Nowthen |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $412,125 | $575,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | −1.2% | +3.1% |
| Homes sold | 160 | 34 |
| Days on market | 55 | 63 |
| Share of original list price | 98.4% | 98.3% |
| Price per square foot | $216 | $224 |
| New listings | 225 | 42 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 51 | 11 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | East Bethel | Nowthen |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $363,900 | $460,000 |
| Median year built | 1983 | 1995 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 89% | 99% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 92% | 97% |
| Median rent | $1,695 | — |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | East Bethel | Nowthen |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 12,288 | 4,565 |
| Land area | 44.6 sq mi | 33.7 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 44 min | 52 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 46 min | 56 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 57 min | 67 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 59 min | 67 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 43 min | 54 min |
| Average commute to work | 32.4 min | 27.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 11 | 13 |
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)
Nowthen
School districts: Elk River School District, St. Francis Area Schools, Anoka-Hennepin Public School District
Largest lakes: Pickerel Lake (238 acres), Burns Lake (95 acres), East Twin Lake (92 acres), McCann Lake (86 acres), Bass Lake (82 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 Nowthen?
Is East Bethel or Nowthen more expensive?
Nowthen. The median sale price was $575,000 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, East Bethel or Nowthen?
East Bethel: 55 days on market on average against 63, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
East Bethel, about 44 minutes by car in light traffic (52 from Nowthen). To downtown Saint Paul: 46 minutes from East Bethel, 56 from Nowthen.
How far apart are East Bethel and Nowthen?
About 11 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, East Bethel or Nowthen?
Nowthen has more: 11 lakes of 10+ acres touch East Bethel (largest: Coon Lake) and 13 touch Nowthen (largest: Pickerel Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve East Bethel and Nowthen?
East Bethel: St. Francis Area Schools and Forest Lake Public School District. Nowthen: Elk River School District, St. Francis Area Schools and Anoka-Hennepin 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 Nowthen?
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 Nowthen.
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.