Compare cities · September 2026
Ham Lake vs. Nowthen
Homes in Nowthen sold for a median $575,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 5% more than in Ham Lake ($549,950). Homes in both took 63 days to sell on average. Ham Lake is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 41 minutes by car, against 52. The two are about 14 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Ham Lake | Nowthen |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $549,950 | $575,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +5.8% | +3.1% |
| Homes sold | 206 | 34 |
| Days on market | 63 | 63 |
| Share of original list price | 96.8% | 98.3% |
| Price per square foot | $217 | $224 |
| New listings | 304 | 42 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 74 | 11 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 4.4 | 4.1 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Ham Lake | Nowthen |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $442,500 | $460,000 |
| Median year built | 1994 | 1995 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 90% | 99% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 94% | 97% |
| Median rent | $1,173 | — |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Ham Lake | Nowthen |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 16,905 | 4,565 |
| Land area | 34.4 sq mi | 33.7 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 41 min | 52 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 42 min | 56 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 53 min | 67 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 55 min | 67 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 39 min | 54 min |
| Average commute to work | 28.6 min | 27.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 4 | 13 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Ham Lake
School districts: Anoka-Hennepin Public School District, Forest Lake Public School District
Largest lakes: Coon Lake (1,481 acres), Ham Lake (155 acres), Lake Netta (119 acres), South Coon Lake (47 acres)
Nowthen
School districts: Elk River School District, St. Francis Area Schools, Anoka-Hennepin Public School District
Largest lakes: Pickerel Lake (238 acres), Burns Lake (95 acres), East Twin Lake (92 acres), McCann Lake (86 acres), Bass Lake (82 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
Ham Lake or Nowthen?
Is Ham Lake or Nowthen more expensive?
Nowthen. The median sale price was $575,000 there and $549,950 in Ham 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, Ham Lake or Nowthen?
Ham Lake: 63 days on market on average against 63, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Ham Lake, about 41 minutes by car in light traffic (52 from Nowthen). To downtown Saint Paul: 42 minutes from Ham Lake, 56 from Nowthen.
How far apart are Ham Lake and Nowthen?
About 14 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Ham Lake or Nowthen?
Nowthen has more: 4 lakes of 10+ acres touch Ham Lake (largest: Coon Lake) and 13 touch Nowthen (largest: Pickerel Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Ham Lake and Nowthen?
Ham Lake: Anoka-Hennepin Public School District and Forest Lake Public School District. Nowthen: Elk River School District, St. Francis Area Schools and Anoka-Hennepin 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 Ham Lake or Nowthen?
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 Ham Lake and Nowthen.
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.