Compare cities · September 2026
Golden Valley vs. Hilltop
Hilltop's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1971 against 1966. Golden Valley is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 13 minutes by car, against 17. The two are about 7 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Golden Valley | Hilltop |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $469,000 | — |
| Change from a year earlier | +7.2% | — |
| Homes sold | 314 | 0 |
| Days on market | 51 | — |
| Share of original list price | 97.9% | — |
| Price per square foot | $225 | — |
| New listings | 453 | 4 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 65 | 1 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.5 | 1.0 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Golden Valley | Hilltop |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $431,400 | $23,900 |
| Median year built | 1966 | 1971 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 67% | 10% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71% | 58% |
| Median rent | $1,785 | $1,127 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Golden Valley | Hilltop |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 21,263 | 956 |
| Land area | 10.2 sq mi | 0.1 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 13 min | 17 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 26 min | 23 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 28 min | 31 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 25 min | 32 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 18 min | 17 min |
| Average commute to work | 19.7 min | 25.9 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).
Golden Valley
School districts: Robbinsdale Public School District, Hopkins Public School District
Largest lakes: Sweeney-Twin Lake (89 acres), Westwood Lake (43 acres), Wirth Lake (40 acres)
Hilltop
School districts: Columbia Heights 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
Golden Valley or Hilltop?
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Golden Valley, about 13 minutes by car in light traffic (17 from Hilltop). To downtown Saint Paul: 26 minutes from Golden Valley, 23 from Hilltop.
How far apart are Golden Valley and Hilltop?
About 7 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Golden Valley or Hilltop?
Golden Valley has more: 3 lakes of 10+ acres touch Golden Valley (largest: Sweeney-Twin Lake) and 0 touch Hilltop, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Golden Valley and Hilltop?
Golden Valley: Robbinsdale Public School District and Hopkins Public School District. Hilltop: Columbia Heights 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 Golden Valley or Hilltop?
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
More comparisons
Deciding between them?
See homes in Golden Valley and Hilltop.
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.