Compare cities · September 2026
Hilltop vs. Pine Springs
Pine Springs's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1979 against 1971. Hilltop is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 17 minutes by car, against 28. The two are about 14 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Hilltop | Pine Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | — | $290,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | — | −53.6% |
| Homes sold | 0 | 1 |
| Days on market | — | 45 |
| Share of original list price | — | 92.1% |
| Price per square foot | — | $155 |
| New listings | 4 | 2 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 1 | 1 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Hilltop | Pine Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $23,900 | $626,600 |
| Median year built | 1971 | 1979 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 10% | 100% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58% | 100% |
| Median rent | $1,127 | — |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Hilltop | Pine Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 956 | 384 |
| Land area | 0.1 sq mi | 0.8 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 17 min | 28 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 23 min | 21 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 31 min | 32 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 32 min | 35 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 17 min | 26 min |
| Average commute to work | 25.9 min | 18.6 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 0 | 1 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Hilltop
School districts: Columbia Heights Public School District
Pine Springs
School districts: Mahtomedi Public School District, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District
Largest lakes: Long 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
Hilltop or Pine Springs?
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Hilltop, about 17 minutes by car in light traffic (28 from Pine Springs). To downtown Saint Paul: 23 minutes from Hilltop, 21 from Pine Springs.
How far apart are Hilltop and Pine Springs?
About 14 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Hilltop or Pine Springs?
Pine Springs has more: 0 lakes of 10+ acres touch Hilltop and 1 touch Pine Springs (largest: Long Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Hilltop and Pine Springs?
Hilltop: Columbia Heights Public School District. Pine Springs: Mahtomedi Public School District and North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale 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 Hilltop or Pine Springs?
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 Hilltop and Pine Springs.
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.