Compare cities · September 2026
Mendota vs. Saint Paul
Saint Paul is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 16 minutes by car, against 20. The two are about 5 miles apart, roughly a 13-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Mendota | Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | — | $300,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | — | 0.0% |
| Homes sold | 0 | 2,682 |
| Days on market | — | 48 |
| Share of original list price | — | 98.7% |
| Price per square foot | — | $214 |
| New listings | 3 | 3,889 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 2 | 672 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 0.0 | 3.1 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Mendota | Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $320,000 | $294,500 |
| Median year built | 1954 | 1952 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 83% | 53% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77% | 53% |
| Median rent | $875 | $1,281 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Mendota | Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 185 | 307,465 |
| Land area | 0.3 sq mi | 52 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 20 min | 16 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 13 min | 3 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 8 min | 16 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 12 min | 20 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 20 min | 15 min |
| Average commute to work | 21.1 min | 21.1 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
Saint Paul
School districts: St. Paul Public School District
Largest lakes: Lake Phalen (198 acres), Beaver Lake (86 acres), Lake Como (71 acres), Little Pig's Eye Lake (24 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 Saint Paul?
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Saint Paul, about 16 minutes by car in light traffic (20 from Mendota). To downtown Saint Paul: 13 minutes from Mendota, 3 from Saint Paul.
How far apart are Mendota and Saint Paul?
About 5 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 13 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Mendota or Saint Paul?
Saint Paul has more: 0 lakes of 10+ acres touch Mendota and 4 touch Saint Paul (largest: Lake Phalen), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Mendota and Saint Paul?
Mendota: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan. Saint Paul: 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 Mendota or Saint 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 Mendota and Saint 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.