Compare cities · September 2026
Inver Grove Heights vs. Lake Elmo
Homes in Lake Elmo sold for a median $665,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 67% more than in Inver Grove Heights ($398,950). Homes sold faster in Lake Elmo: 52 days on market on average, against 56 in Inver Grove Heights. Lake Elmo's homes are newer, with a median year built of 2004 against 1990. Inver Grove Heights is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 27 minutes by car, against 35. The two are about 13 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Inver Grove Heights | Lake Elmo |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $398,950 | $665,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +10.4% | +2.9% |
| Homes sold | 392 | 251 |
| Days on market | 56 | 52 |
| Share of original list price | 98.5% | 98.0% |
| Price per square foot | $202 | $245 |
| New listings | 573 | 354 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 108 | 63 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.3 | 3.1 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Inver Grove Heights | Lake Elmo |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $363,400 | $597,000 |
| Median year built | 1990 | 2004 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 76% | 84% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77% | 94% |
| Median rent | $1,465 | $2,407 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Inver Grove Heights | Lake Elmo |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 36,226 | 14,161 |
| Land area | 27.9 sq mi | 22.1 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 27 min | 35 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 18 min | 24 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 15 min | 34 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 17 min | 35 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 27 min | 32 min |
| Average commute to work | 22.3 min | 22.8 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 7 | 12 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Inver Grove Heights
School districts: Inver Grove Heights Schools, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
Largest lakes: Schmitt Lake (52 acres), Dickman Lake (23 acres), Marcott Lake (22 acres), Marcott Lake (19 acres), Hornbeam Lake (18 acres)
Lake Elmo
School districts: Stillwater Area Public School District, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, Mahtomedi Public School District
Largest lakes: Lake Elmo (257 acres), Lake Jane (158 acres), Lake de Montreville (157 acres), Eagle Point Lake (110 acres), Lake Olson (87 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
Inver Grove Heights or Lake Elmo?
Is Inver Grove Heights or Lake Elmo more expensive?
Lake Elmo. The median sale price was $665,000 there and $398,950 in Inver Grove Heights 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, Inver Grove Heights or Lake Elmo?
Lake Elmo: 52 days on market on average against 56, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Inver Grove Heights, about 27 minutes by car in light traffic (35 from Lake Elmo). To downtown Saint Paul: 18 minutes from Inver Grove Heights, 24 from Lake Elmo.
How far apart are Inver Grove Heights and Lake Elmo?
About 13 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Inver Grove Heights or Lake Elmo?
Lake Elmo has more: 7 lakes of 10+ acres touch Inver Grove Heights (largest: Schmitt Lake) and 12 touch Lake Elmo (largest: Lake Elmo), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Inver Grove Heights and Lake Elmo?
Inver Grove Heights: Inver Grove Heights Schools and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan. Lake Elmo: Stillwater Area Public School District, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District and Mahtomedi 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 Inver Grove Heights or Lake Elmo?
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 Inver Grove Heights and Lake Elmo.
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.