Compare cities · September 2026
Lake Elmo vs. South St. Paul
Homes in Lake Elmo sold for a median $665,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 122% more than in South St. Paul ($300,000). Homes sold faster in South St. Paul: 35 days on market on average, against 52 in Lake Elmo. Lake Elmo's homes are newer, with a median year built of 2004 against 1958. South St. Paul is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 27 minutes by car, against 35. The two are about 9 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Lake Elmo | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $665,000 | $300,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +2.9% | +2.7% |
| Homes sold | 251 | 226 |
| Days on market | 52 | 35 |
| Share of original list price | 98.0% | 99.8% |
| Price per square foot | $245 | $199 |
| New listings | 354 | 277 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 63 | 42 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.1 | 2.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Lake Elmo | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $597,000 | $281,600 |
| Median year built | 2004 | 1958 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 84% | 72% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 94% | 70% |
| Median rent | $2,407 | $1,199 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Lake Elmo | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 14,161 | 20,590 |
| Land area | 22.1 sq mi | 5.6 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 35 min | 27 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 24 min | 16 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 34 min | 17 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 35 min | 18 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 32 min | 27 min |
| Average commute to work | 22.8 min | 21.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 12 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
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)
South St. Paul
School districts: South St. Paul Public School District
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
Lake Elmo or South St. Paul?
Is Lake Elmo or South St. Paul more expensive?
Lake Elmo. The median sale price was $665,000 there and $300,000 in South St. Paul 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, Lake Elmo or South St. Paul?
South St. Paul: 35 days on market on average against 52, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
South St. Paul, about 27 minutes by car in light traffic (35 from Lake Elmo). To downtown Saint Paul: 24 minutes from Lake Elmo, 16 from South St. Paul.
How far apart are Lake Elmo and South St. Paul?
About 9 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Lake Elmo or South St. Paul?
Lake Elmo has more: 12 lakes of 10+ acres touch Lake Elmo (largest: Lake Elmo) and 0 touch South St. Paul, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Lake Elmo and South St. Paul?
Lake Elmo: Stillwater Area Public School District, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District and Mahtomedi Public School District. South St. Paul: South St. Paul 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 Lake Elmo or South St. Paul?
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 Lake Elmo and South St. Paul.
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.