Compare cities · September 2026
Medicine Lake vs. Orono
Homes in Medicine Lake sold for a median $1,480,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 21% more than in Orono ($1,225,000). Homes sold faster in Orono: 76 days on market on average, against 100 in Medicine Lake. Orono's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1982 against 1966. Medicine Lake is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 16 minutes by car, against 28. The two are about 9 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Medicine Lake | Orono |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1,480,000 | $1,225,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +41.6% | +4.3% |
| Homes sold | 4 | 131 |
| Days on market | 100 | 76 |
| Share of original list price | 95.4% | 95.9% |
| Price per square foot | $441 | $412 |
| New listings | 6 | 222 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 1 | 53 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 0.8 | 4.7 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Medicine Lake | Orono |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $1,083,300 | $1,004,500 |
| Median year built | 1966 | 1982 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 93% | 93% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81% | 91% |
| Median rent | $1,150 | $1,818 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Medicine Lake | Orono |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 1,343 | 8,228 |
| Land area | 0.2 sq mi | 15.9 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 16 min | 28 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 30 min | 41 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 30 min | 42 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 27 min | 38 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 21 min | 32 min |
| Average commute to work | 17.3 min | 24.9 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 1 | 8 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Medicine Lake
School districts: Wayzata Public School District
Largest lakes: Medicine Lake (924 acres)
Orono
School districts: Orono Public School District, Westonka Public School District, Wayzata Public School District
Largest lakes: Lake Minnetonka (14,206 acres), Long Lake (285 acres), Mooney Lake (124 acres), South Katrina Lake (108 acres), Forest Lake (90 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
Medicine Lake or Orono?
Is Medicine Lake or Orono more expensive?
Medicine Lake. The median sale price was $1,480,000 there and $1,225,000 in Orono 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, Medicine Lake or Orono?
Orono: 76 days on market on average against 100, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Medicine Lake, about 16 minutes by car in light traffic (28 from Orono). To downtown Saint Paul: 30 minutes from Medicine Lake, 41 from Orono.
How far apart are Medicine Lake and Orono?
About 9 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Medicine Lake or Orono?
Orono has more: 1 lakes of 10+ acres touch Medicine Lake (largest: Medicine Lake) and 8 touch Orono (largest: Lake Minnetonka), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Medicine Lake and Orono?
Medicine Lake: Wayzata Public School District. Orono: Orono Public School District, Westonka Public School District and Wayzata 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 Medicine Lake or Orono?
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.
Deciding between them?
See homes in Medicine Lake and Orono.
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.