Compare cities · September 2026
New Brighton vs. Vadnais Heights
Homes in New Brighton sold for a median $390,250 over the 12 months through September 2026, 5% more than in Vadnais Heights ($371,000). Homes sold faster in New Brighton: 42 days on market on average, against 50 in Vadnais Heights. Vadnais Heights's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1985 against 1973. New Brighton is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 18 minutes by car, against 26. The two are about 7 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | New Brighton | Vadnais Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $390,250 | $371,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +1.9% | −5.4% |
| Homes sold | 254 | 200 |
| Days on market | 42 | 50 |
| Share of original list price | 99.0% | 98.7% |
| Price per square foot | $199 | $203 |
| New listings | 331 | 261 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 57 | 32 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.7 | 2.0 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | New Brighton | Vadnais Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $364,700 | $363,100 |
| Median year built | 1973 | 1985 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 58% | 75% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61% | 80% |
| Median rent | $1,397 | $1,455 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | New Brighton | Vadnais Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 22,374 | 13,108 |
| Land area | 6.5 sq mi | 7 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 18 min | 26 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 19 min | 18 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 30 min | 29 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 31 min | 33 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 16 min | 24 min |
| Average commute to work | 20 min | 22.9 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 4 | 6 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
New Brighton
School districts: Mounds View Public School District, St. Anthony-New Brighton Schools
Largest lakes: Long Lake (173 acres), Silver Lake (71 acres), Rush Lake (45 acres), Pike Lake (38 acres)
Vadnais Heights
School districts: White Bear Lake School District, Mounds View Public School District
Largest lakes: Vadnais Lake (605 acres), Sucker Lake (63 acres), Willow Lake (52 acres), Basswood Lake (50 acres), Twin Lake (32 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
New Brighton or Vadnais Heights?
Is New Brighton or Vadnais Heights more expensive?
New Brighton. The median sale price was $390,250 there and $371,000 in Vadnais Heights 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, New Brighton or Vadnais Heights?
New Brighton: 42 days on market on average against 50, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
New Brighton, about 18 minutes by car in light traffic (26 from Vadnais Heights). To downtown Saint Paul: 19 minutes from New Brighton, 18 from Vadnais Heights.
How far apart are New Brighton and Vadnais Heights?
About 7 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, New Brighton or Vadnais Heights?
Vadnais Heights has more: 4 lakes of 10+ acres touch New Brighton (largest: Long Lake) and 6 touch Vadnais Heights (largest: Vadnais Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve New Brighton and Vadnais Heights?
New Brighton: Mounds View Public School District and St. Anthony-New Brighton Schools. Vadnais Heights: White Bear Lake School District and Mounds View 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 New Brighton or Vadnais Heights?
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 New Brighton and Vadnais Heights.
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.