Compare cities · September 2026
Mendota vs. Oakdale
Oakdale's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1985 against 1954. Mendota is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 20 minutes by car, against 29. The two are about 12 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Mendota | Oakdale |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | — | $329,900 |
| Change from a year earlier | — | +1.5% |
| Homes sold | 0 | 384 |
| Days on market | — | 38 |
| Share of original list price | — | 99.4% |
| Price per square foot | — | $196 |
| New listings | 3 | 554 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 2 | 84 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 0.0 | 2.6 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Mendota | Oakdale |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $320,000 | $318,100 |
| Median year built | 1954 | 1985 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 83% | 80% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77% | 78% |
| Median rent | $875 | $1,481 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Mendota | Oakdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 185 | 30,441 |
| Land area | 0.3 sq mi | 11 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 20 min | 29 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 13 min | 18 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 8 min | 29 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 12 min | 30 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 20 min | 27 min |
| Average commute to work | 21.1 min | 23.5 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 0 | 4 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Mendota
School districts: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan
Oakdale
School districts: North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District
Largest lakes: Silver Lake (76 acres), Tanners Lake (74 acres), Mud Lake (30 acres), Armstrong Lake (21 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
Mendota or Oakdale?
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Mendota, about 20 minutes by car in light traffic (29 from Oakdale). To downtown Saint Paul: 13 minutes from Mendota, 18 from Oakdale.
How far apart are Mendota and Oakdale?
About 12 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Mendota or Oakdale?
Oakdale has more: 0 lakes of 10+ acres touch Mendota and 4 touch Oakdale (largest: Silver Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Mendota and Oakdale?
Mendota: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan. Oakdale: 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 Mendota or Oakdale?
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 Mendota and Oakdale.
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.