Compare cities · September 2026
Excelsior vs. Prior Lake
Homes in Excelsior sold for a median $725,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 45% more than in Prior Lake ($500,000). Homes sold faster in Excelsior: 46 days on market on average, against 62 in Prior Lake. Prior Lake's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1998 against 1970. Excelsior is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 28 minutes by car, against 36. The two are about 14 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Excelsior | Prior Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $725,000 | $500,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | −22.6% | +2.3% |
| Homes sold | 57 | 423 |
| Days on market | 46 | 62 |
| Share of original list price | 97.9% | 97.2% |
| Price per square foot | $389 | $228 |
| New listings | 98 | 636 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 24 | 131 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 5.1 | 3.8 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Excelsior | Prior Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $909,200 | $450,700 |
| Median year built | 1970 | 1998 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 48% | 87% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 48% | 86% |
| Median rent | $1,143 | $1,654 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Excelsior | Prior Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 2,296 | 28,018 |
| Land area | 0.6 sq mi | 16.3 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 28 min | 36 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 41 min | 42 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 32 min | 31 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 28 min | 28 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 32 min | 39 min |
| Average commute to work | 27.6 min | 24.7 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 2 | 10 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Excelsior
School districts: Minnetonka Public School District
Largest lakes: Lake Minnetonka (14,206 acres), Galpin Lake (46 acres)
Prior Lake
School districts: Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Shakopee Public School District
Largest lakes: Lower Prior Lake (956 acres), Spring Lake (592 acres), Upper Prior Lake (386 acres), Campbell Lake (62 acres), Howard Lake (61 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
Excelsior or Prior Lake?
Is Excelsior or Prior Lake more expensive?
Excelsior. The median sale price was $725,000 there and $500,000 in Prior 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, Excelsior or Prior Lake?
Excelsior: 46 days on market on average against 62, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Excelsior, about 28 minutes by car in light traffic (36 from Prior Lake). To downtown Saint Paul: 41 minutes from Excelsior, 42 from Prior Lake.
How far apart are Excelsior and Prior Lake?
About 14 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Excelsior or Prior Lake?
Prior Lake has more: 2 lakes of 10+ acres touch Excelsior (largest: Lake Minnetonka) and 10 touch Prior Lake (largest: Lower Prior Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Excelsior and Prior Lake?
Excelsior: Minnetonka Public School District. Prior Lake: Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools and Shakopee 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 Excelsior or Prior 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 Excelsior and Prior 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.