Compare cities · September 2026
Hilltop vs. Mendota Heights
Mendota Heights's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1983 against 1971. Hilltop is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 17 minutes by car, against 22. The two are about 13 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Hilltop | Mendota Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | — | $570,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | — | +8.6% |
| Homes sold | 0 | 139 |
| Days on market | — | 46 |
| Share of original list price | — | 99.8% |
| Price per square foot | — | $245 |
| New listings | 4 | 182 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 1 | 45 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 1.0 | 4.1 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Hilltop | Mendota Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $23,900 | $520,300 |
| Median year built | 1971 | 1983 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 10% | 77% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58% | 79% |
| Median rent | $1,127 | $1,631 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Hilltop | Mendota Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 956 | 11,542 |
| Land area | 0.1 sq mi | 9.1 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 17 min | 22 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 23 min | 13 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 31 min | 11 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 32 min | 14 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 17 min | 23 min |
| Average commute to work | 25.9 min | 19.6 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 0 | 4 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Hilltop
School districts: Columbia Heights Public School District
Mendota Heights
School districts: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan
Largest lakes: Gun Club Lake (342 acres), Rogers Lake (102 acres), Lake Augusta (46 acres), Lake Lemay (20 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
Hilltop or Mendota Heights?
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Hilltop, about 17 minutes by car in light traffic (22 from Mendota Heights). To downtown Saint Paul: 23 minutes from Hilltop, 13 from Mendota Heights.
How far apart are Hilltop and Mendota Heights?
About 13 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Hilltop or Mendota Heights?
Mendota Heights has more: 0 lakes of 10+ acres touch Hilltop and 4 touch Mendota Heights (largest: Gun Club Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Hilltop and Mendota Heights?
Hilltop: Columbia Heights Public School District. Mendota Heights: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Hilltop or Mendota Heights?
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 Hilltop and Mendota Heights.
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.