Compare cities · September 2026
Saint Paul vs. South St. Paul
Homes in Saint Paul and South St. Paul sold for the same median price, $300,000, over the 12 months through September 2026. Homes sold faster in South St. Paul: 35 days on market on average, against 48 in Saint Paul. South St. Paul's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1958 against 1952. Saint Paul is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 16 minutes by car, against 27. The two are about 5 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Saint Paul | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | 0.0% | +2.7% |
| Homes sold | 2,682 | 226 |
| Days on market | 48 | 35 |
| Share of original list price | 98.7% | 99.8% |
| Price per square foot | $214 | $199 |
| New listings | 3,889 | 277 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 672 | 42 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.1 | 2.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Saint Paul | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $294,500 | $281,600 |
| Median year built | 1952 | 1958 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 53% | 72% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 53% | 70% |
| Median rent | $1,281 | $1,199 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Saint Paul | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 307,465 | 20,590 |
| Land area | 52 sq mi | 5.6 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 16 min | 27 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 3 min | 16 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 16 min | 17 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 20 min | 18 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 15 min | 27 min |
| Average commute to work | 21.1 min | 21.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 4 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
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)
South St. Paul
School districts: South St. Paul 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
Saint Paul or South St. Paul?
Is Saint Paul or South St. Paul more expensive?
Neither: both had a median sale price of $300,000 over the 12 months through September 2026.
Where do homes sell faster, Saint Paul or South St. Paul?
South St. Paul: 35 days on market on average against 48, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Saint Paul, about 16 minutes by car in light traffic (27 from South St. Paul). To downtown Saint Paul: 3 minutes from Saint Paul, 16 from South St. Paul.
How far apart are Saint Paul and South St. Paul?
About 5 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Saint Paul or South St. Paul?
Saint Paul has more: 4 lakes of 10+ acres touch Saint Paul (largest: Lake Phalen) and 0 touch South St. Paul, by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Saint Paul and South St. Paul?
Saint Paul: St. Paul Public School District. South St. Paul: South 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 Saint Paul or South St. 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 Saint Paul and South St. 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.