Compare cities · September 2026
Orono vs. Watertown
Homes in Orono sold for a median $1,225,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 227% more than in Watertown ($375,000). Homes sold faster in Watertown: 64 days on market on average, against 76 in Orono. Watertown's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1996 against 1982. Orono is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 28 minutes by car, against 44. The two are about 13 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Orono | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1,225,000 | $375,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +4.3% | +5.6% |
| Homes sold | 131 | 76 |
| Days on market | 76 | 64 |
| Share of original list price | 95.9% | 97.9% |
| Price per square foot | $412 | $183 |
| New listings | 222 | 128 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 53 | 30 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 4.7 | 4.7 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Orono | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $1,004,500 | $337,200 |
| Median year built | 1982 | 1996 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 93% | 82% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 91% | 83% |
| Median rent | $1,818 | $927 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Orono | Watertown |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 8,228 | 4,774 |
| Land area | 15.9 sq mi | 2.6 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 28 min | 44 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 41 min | 57 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 42 min | 54 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 38 min | 51 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 32 min | 48 min |
| Average commute to work | 24.9 min | 26.2 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 8 | 0 |
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)
Watertown
School districts: Watertown-Mayer Public School District
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 Watertown?
Is Orono or Watertown more expensive?
Orono. The median sale price was $1,225,000 there and $375,000 in Watertown 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 Watertown?
Watertown: 64 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 (44 from Watertown). To downtown Saint Paul: 41 minutes from Orono, 57 from Watertown.
How far apart are Orono and Watertown?
About 13 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Orono or Watertown?
Orono has more: 8 lakes of 10+ acres touch Orono (largest: Lake Minnetonka) and 0 touch Watertown, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Orono and Watertown?
Orono: Orono Public School District, Westonka Public School District and Wayzata Public School District. Watertown: Watertown-Mayer 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 Watertown?
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 Watertown.
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.