Compare cities · September 2026
Faribault vs. Northfield
Homes in Northfield sold for a median $369,950 over the 12 months through September 2026, 28% more than in Faribault ($290,000). Homes sold faster in Faribault: 65 days on market on average, against 66 in Northfield. Northfield's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1986 against 1974. Northfield is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 54 minutes by car, against 60. The two are about 12 miles apart, roughly a 21-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Faribault | Northfield |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $290,000 | $369,950 |
| Change from a year earlier | −6.3% | +1.4% |
| Homes sold | 306 | 230 |
| Days on market | 65 | 66 |
| Share of original list price | 96.6% | 96.8% |
| Price per square foot | $171 | $197 |
| New listings | 415 | 312 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 95 | 73 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Faribault | Northfield |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $241,500 | $329,400 |
| Median year built | 1974 | 1986 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 69% | 64% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66% | 69% |
| Median rent | $1,074 | $1,103 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Faribault | Northfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 24,983 | 21,316 |
| Land area | 15.7 sq mi | 8.5 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 60 min | 54 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 61 min | 55 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 56 min | 49 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 51 min | 45 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 63 min | 56 min |
| Average commute to work | 19 min | 17.7 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 3 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Faribault
School districts: Faribault Public School District
Largest lakes: Wells Lake (677 acres), Faribault Lake (45 acres), Twin Lakes (16 acres)
Northfield
School districts: Northfield Public School District
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
Faribault or Northfield?
Is Faribault or Northfield more expensive?
Northfield. The median sale price was $369,950 there and $290,000 in Faribault 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, Faribault or Northfield?
Faribault: 65 days on market on average against 66, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Northfield, about 54 minutes by car in light traffic (60 from Faribault). To downtown Saint Paul: 61 minutes from Faribault, 55 from Northfield.
How far apart are Faribault and Northfield?
About 12 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 21 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Faribault or Northfield?
Faribault has more: 3 lakes of 10+ acres touch Faribault (largest: Wells Lake) and 0 touch Northfield, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Faribault and Northfield?
Faribault: Faribault Public School District. Northfield: Northfield 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 Faribault or Northfield?
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.
Keep comparing
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Faribault and Northfield.
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.