Compare cities · September 2026
Minneapolis vs. Saint Paul
Homes in Minneapolis sold for a median $353,500 over the 12 months through September 2026, 18% more than in Saint Paul ($300,000). Homes sold faster in Saint Paul: 48 days on market on average, against 54 in Minneapolis. Minneapolis is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 5 minutes by car, against 16. The two are about 8 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Minneapolis | Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $353,500 | $300,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +2.5% | 0.0% |
| Homes sold | 4,031 | 2,682 |
| Days on market | 54 | 48 |
| Share of original list price | 98.7% | 98.7% |
| Price per square foot | $255 | $214 |
| New listings | 5,963 | 3,889 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 1,136 | 672 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.4 | 3.1 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Minneapolis | Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $362,200 | $294,500 |
| Median year built | 1951 | 1952 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 44% | 53% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 48% | 53% |
| Median rent | $1,371 | $1,281 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Minneapolis | Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 428,579 | 307,465 |
| Land area | 54 sq mi | 52 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 5 min | 16 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 15 min | 3 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 18 min | 16 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 19 min | 20 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 6 min | 15 min |
| Average commute to work | 22 min | 21.1 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 11 | 4 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Minneapolis
School districts: Minneapolis Public School District
Largest lakes: Bde Maka Ska (424 acres), Lake Harriet (341 acres), Lake Nokomis (201 acres), Cedar Lake (164 acres), Lake of Isles (114 acres)
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
Minneapolis or Saint Paul?
Is Minneapolis or Saint Paul more expensive?
Minneapolis. The median sale price was $353,500 there and $300,000 in Saint 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, Minneapolis or Saint Paul?
Saint Paul: 48 days on market on average against 54, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Minneapolis, about 5 minutes by car in light traffic (16 from Saint Paul). To downtown Saint Paul: 15 minutes from Minneapolis, 3 from Saint Paul.
How far apart are Minneapolis and Saint Paul?
About 8 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Minneapolis or Saint Paul?
Minneapolis has more: 11 lakes of 10+ acres touch Minneapolis (largest: Bde Maka Ska) and 4 touch Saint Paul (largest: Lake Phalen), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Minneapolis and Saint Paul?
Minneapolis: Minneapolis Public School District. 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 Minneapolis 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.
Keep comparing
More comparisons
Deciding between them?
See homes in Minneapolis 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.