Compare cities · September 2026
Inver Grove Heights vs. Mendota
Inver Grove Heights's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1990 against 1954. Mendota is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 20 minutes by car, against 27. The two are about 6 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Inver Grove Heights | Mendota |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $398,950 | — |
| Change from a year earlier | +10.4% | — |
| Homes sold | 392 | 0 |
| Days on market | 56 | — |
| Share of original list price | 98.5% | — |
| Price per square foot | $202 | — |
| New listings | 573 | 3 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 108 | 2 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.3 | 0.0 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Inver Grove Heights | Mendota |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $363,400 | $320,000 |
| Median year built | 1990 | 1954 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 76% | 83% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77% | 77% |
| Median rent | $1,465 | $875 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Inver Grove Heights | Mendota |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 36,226 | 185 |
| Land area | 27.9 sq mi | 0.3 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 27 min | 20 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 18 min | 13 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 15 min | 8 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 17 min | 12 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 27 min | 20 min |
| Average commute to work | 22.3 min | 21.1 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 7 | 0 |
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)
Mendota
School districts: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan
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 Mendota?
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Mendota, about 20 minutes by car in light traffic (27 from Inver Grove Heights). To downtown Saint Paul: 18 minutes from Inver Grove Heights, 13 from Mendota.
How far apart are Inver Grove Heights and Mendota?
About 6 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Inver Grove Heights or Mendota?
Inver Grove Heights has more: 7 lakes of 10+ acres touch Inver Grove Heights (largest: Schmitt Lake) and 0 touch Mendota, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Inver Grove Heights and Mendota?
Inver Grove Heights: Inver Grove Heights Schools and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan. Mendota: 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 Inver Grove Heights or Mendota?
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 Inver Grove Heights and Mendota.
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.