Compare cities · September 2026
Forest Lake vs. North Oaks
Homes in North Oaks sold for a median $950,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 121% more than in Forest Lake ($429,900). Homes sold faster in Forest Lake: 57 days on market on average, against 75 in North Oaks. Forest Lake's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1988 against 1983. North Oaks is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 30 minutes by car, against 42. The two are about 12 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Forest Lake | North Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $429,900 | $950,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +5.5% | −11.4% |
| Homes sold | 301 | 93 |
| Days on market | 57 | 75 |
| Share of original list price | 98.2% | 97.0% |
| Price per square foot | $219 | $288 |
| New listings | 459 | 114 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 85 | 30 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.4 | 4.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Forest Lake | North Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $393,500 | $821,200 |
| Median year built | 1988 | 1983 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 73% | 84% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73% | 88% |
| Median rent | $1,421 | $3,501 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Forest Lake | North Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 20,700 | 5,232 |
| Land area | 30.5 sq mi | 6.9 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 42 min | 30 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 40 min | 24 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 51 min | 36 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 55 min | 40 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 39 min | 27 min |
| Average commute to work | 24.2 min | 26.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 9 | 8 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
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)
North Oaks
School districts: Mounds View Public School District, White Bear Lake School District
Largest lakes: Pleasant Lake (607 acres), Gilfillan Lake (96 acres), Wilkinson Lake (93 acres), Deep Lake (72 acres), Sucker Lake (63 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
Forest Lake or North Oaks?
Is Forest Lake or North Oaks more expensive?
North Oaks. The median sale price was $950,000 there and $429,900 in Forest 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, Forest Lake or North Oaks?
Forest Lake: 57 days on market on average against 75, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
North Oaks, about 30 minutes by car in light traffic (42 from Forest Lake). To downtown Saint Paul: 40 minutes from Forest Lake, 24 from North Oaks.
How far apart are Forest Lake and North Oaks?
About 12 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Forest Lake or North Oaks?
Forest Lake has more: 9 lakes of 10+ acres touch Forest Lake (largest: Forest Lake) and 8 touch North Oaks (largest: Pleasant Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Forest Lake and North Oaks?
Forest Lake: Forest Lake Public School District. North Oaks: Mounds View Public School District and White Bear Lake 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 Forest Lake or North Oaks?
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 Forest Lake and North Oaks.
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.