Compare cities · September 2026
Orono vs. Tonka Bay
Homes in Orono sold for a median $1,225,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 13% more than in Tonka Bay ($1,085,000). Homes sold faster in Tonka Bay: 41 days on market on average, against 76 in Orono. Orono is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 28 minutes by car, against 33. The two are about 3 miles apart, roughly a 31-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Orono | Tonka Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1,225,000 | $1,085,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +4.3% | −14.1% |
| Homes sold | 131 | 19 |
| Days on market | 76 | 41 |
| Share of original list price | 95.9% | 96.1% |
| Price per square foot | $412 | $495 |
| New listings | 222 | 39 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 53 | 10 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 4.7 | 4.8 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Orono | Tonka Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $1,004,500 | $917,100 |
| Median year built | 1982 | 1982 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 93% | 94% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 91% | 81% |
| Median rent | $1,818 | $2,320 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Orono | Tonka Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 8,228 | 1,540 |
| Land area | 15.9 sq mi | 0.9 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 28 min | 33 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 41 min | 46 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 42 min | 38 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 38 min | 34 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 32 min | 37 min |
| Average commute to work | 24.9 min | 25.7 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 8 | 1 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
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)
Tonka Bay
School districts: Minnetonka Public School District
Largest lakes: Lake Minnetonka (14,206 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
Orono or Tonka Bay?
Is Orono or Tonka Bay more expensive?
Orono. The median sale price was $1,225,000 there and $1,085,000 in Tonka Bay 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, Orono or Tonka Bay?
Tonka Bay: 41 days on market on average against 76, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Orono, about 28 minutes by car in light traffic (33 from Tonka Bay). To downtown Saint Paul: 41 minutes from Orono, 46 from Tonka Bay.
How far apart are Orono and Tonka Bay?
About 3 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 31 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Orono or Tonka Bay?
Orono has more: 8 lakes of 10+ acres touch Orono (largest: Lake Minnetonka) and 1 touch Tonka Bay (largest: Lake Minnetonka), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Orono and Tonka Bay?
Orono: Orono Public School District, Westonka Public School District and Wayzata Public School District. Tonka Bay: Minnetonka 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 Orono or Tonka Bay?
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 Orono and Tonka Bay.
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.