Compare cities · September 2026
Empire vs. Sunfish Lake
Homes in Sunfish Lake sold for a median $1,285,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 213% more than in Empire ($410,000). Homes sold faster in Empire: 40 days on market on average, against 120 in Sunfish Lake. Empire's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1997 against 1985. Sunfish Lake is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 25 minutes by car, against 51. The two are about 13 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Empire | Sunfish Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $410,000 | $1,285,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +13.9% | −17.1% |
| Homes sold | 32 | 9 |
| Days on market | 40 | 120 |
| Share of original list price | 99.4% | 92.2% |
| Price per square foot | $201 | $356 |
| New listings | 41 | 23 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 4 | 10 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 1.3 | 7.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Empire | Sunfish Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $469,500 | $1,115,600 |
| Median year built | 1997 | 1985 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 98% | 100% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 94% | 98% |
| Median rent | $2,052 | — |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Empire | Sunfish Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 3,068 | 522 |
| Land area | 30.5 sq mi | 1.5 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 51 min | 25 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 46 min | 16 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 41 min | 14 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 37 min | 15 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 53 min | 26 min |
| Average commute to work | 30.4 min | 18.6 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 0 | 3 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Empire
School districts: Farmington Public School District, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
Sunfish Lake
School districts: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan
Largest lakes: Sunfish Lake (46 acres), Hornbeam Lake (18 acres), Horse Shoe Lake (13 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
Empire or Sunfish Lake?
Is Empire or Sunfish Lake more expensive?
Sunfish Lake. The median sale price was $1,285,000 there and $410,000 in Empire 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, Empire or Sunfish Lake?
Empire: 40 days on market on average against 120, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Sunfish Lake, about 25 minutes by car in light traffic (51 from Empire). To downtown Saint Paul: 46 minutes from Empire, 16 from Sunfish Lake.
How far apart are Empire and Sunfish Lake?
About 13 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Empire or Sunfish Lake?
Sunfish Lake has more: 0 lakes of 10+ acres touch Empire and 3 touch Sunfish Lake (largest: Sunfish Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Empire and Sunfish Lake?
Empire: Farmington Public School District and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan. Sunfish Lake: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Empire or Sunfish 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.
Deciding between them?
See homes in Empire and Sunfish 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.