Choosing between Edina and Minnetonka can feel like a coin toss. Both offer strong schools, family‑friendly parks, and easy access to Minneapolis. Still, the day‑to‑day feel, home styles, and costs are not the same. In this guide, you’ll compare prices, schools, commute patterns, housing and lot sizes, amenities, and taxes, then use a simple decision checklist to pick the right fit for your family. Let’s dive in.
Market snapshot: prices and trends
You’ll see a price gap between the two. Across major market trackers, Edina typically trades higher than Minnetonka. Recent snapshots show Edina in the mid‑$500Ks and Minnetonka in the mid‑$400Ks, with wide ranges in both cities based on neighborhood and lot size. The Twin Cities metro median crossed $400,000 in 2025, so both suburbs sit at or above the broader market. Axios reported the metro milestone, which helps frame where each city falls.
What this means for you: if you value walkability and first‑ring proximity, expect to pay a premium in many Edina pockets. If larger lots or lake‑area options are a priority, you’ll often find more choices under $500,000 in parts of Minnetonka and higher ceilings near the lake.
Tip: pricing moves month to month. Before you tour, ask for a current MLS summary by neighborhood. Micro‑market data will help you set realistic search parameters and offer strategies.
Schools: programs and enrollment
Both Edina Public Schools and Minnetonka Public Schools are highly regarded. District rankings often place them among Minnesota’s top systems, and program strengths are a common draw for families. For example, Edina High School has been recognized in statewide lists, with district news highlighting recent U.S. News rankings. Minnetonka is typically the larger district by enrollment, which can translate into broad program offerings.
Open enrollment is a major Twin Cities factor. Many students attend schools outside their home district, and regional reporting notes significant cross‑district flows. If a specific program or school is non‑negotiable for you, verify boundaries by address and review open‑enrollment transportation details early.
Address‑level verification matters. Do not rely on neighborhood names alone. Use district tools to confirm your assignment. Minnetonka maintains community and school info pages that can help you start the process; see the Minnetonka Schools community page for context, then follow the district’s boundary links.
Commute: routes and transit
Average commute times are similar in both cities. American Community Survey estimates show Edina around 20 minutes and Minnetonka around 19 minutes for mean travel time to work. These are citywide averages, not door‑to‑door estimates, but they show parity overall. You can review ACS context on Census QuickFacts for Edina.
Routes matter more than averages. If you commute to downtown Minneapolis, parts of Minnetonka near I‑394 can be efficient. If you split trips around the south and southwest metro, Edina’s access to Hwy 100 and I‑494 can save time. For transit, Ridgedale in Minnetonka and Southdale in Edina serve as park‑and‑ride and bus hubs. The region also supports demand‑responsive services; the Metropolitan Council’s Transit Link page outlines coverage for suburban trips.
Plan a “gate‑to‑gate” test. Map your actual departure and return windows for a week. Try your top two neighborhoods, both directions, at your usual times. Small differences in on‑ramps and signal timing can change the feel of a daily commute.
Housing and lot sizes
Edina’s housing stock reflects its first‑ring roots. Many neighborhoods were built in the mid‑20th century, with established blocks and walkable village areas. Typical lots in many single‑family areas often fall near 0.15 to 0.28 acres, with some larger parcels and a few estate pockets. In high‑demand areas, teardown and infill activity is common.
Minnetonka covers a wider geography with bigger swings in lot size. Inland neighborhoods often offer larger yards for the same price tier you’d find in Edina, while lake‑adjacent areas include half‑acre to multi‑acre parcels alongside high‑end estates. Redevelopment happens around the lake communities as well; regional coverage has chronicled the broader teardown trend in the area, including around Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline. For context, see the Star Tribune’s piece on teardown pressures.
What this means for you: if a walkable, village‑style setting is the dream, target Edina pockets near 50th & France or Southdale. If you want elbow room or lake‑life amenities, focus on Minnetonka and nearby lake‑area communities. Your budget will stretch differently in each.
Amenities and lifestyle
Edina is known for compact shopping and dining nodes and strong year‑round recreation. Centennial Lakes Park, Edinborough Park’s indoor play and pool, the Galleria, and 50th & France anchor daily life. City programming and seasonal events are a big plus for families seeking an easy, in‑neighborhood rhythm. You can browse updates via Edina’s city site and parks news.
Minnetonka centers a bit more on lake access and regional retail. Ridgedale and surrounding shops handle your big‑box errands, while the Lake Minnetonka area offers beaches, boat launches, and nearby walkable downtowns like Wayzata and Excelsior. Overall, more of Minnetonka is car‑dependent, but lakeside downtowns nearby provide charming street‑level experiences on weekends.
Quick trade‑offs:
- Edina: shorter, more frequent errands on foot in select pockets; steady community programming; quick access to urban restaurants and services.
- Minnetonka: larger outdoor spaces and better proximity to lake recreation; convenient access to west‑metro employers; many neighborhoods favor the car for daily trips.
Taxes and cost of ownership
Property taxes depend on your assessed value and the levies set by the county, city, school district, and any special districts. Hennepin County explains how bills are calculated, how assessments work, and how to appeal valuations during the spring window. For the process and timelines, start with Hennepin County’s property tax page.
Effective tax rates in many parts of Hennepin County commonly fall in the roughly 1.1 to 1.3 percent band, with city‑level medians in Edina and Minnetonka clustered in that range according to third‑party aggregators. For a broad snapshot, see Ownwell’s Hennepin County trends. Your actual bill will vary based on your property’s assessed value, local levies, and applicable exemptions.
How to check a parcel’s tax bill:
- Go to the Hennepin County property tax portal.
- Search by address or parcel ID to view assessed value, tax breakdowns, and payment history.
- Review any homestead status or special assessments listed on the record.
- If you disagree with the valuation, follow the appeal instructions and deadlines posted on the county site.
Which is right for you? A simple framework
Use this step‑by‑step checklist to focus your search.
- Schools and programs
- If a specific school or program is a must, verify the exact attendance boundary by address. Review open‑enrollment policies and transportation details before touring. The Minnetonka Schools community page is a starting point for district resources, and regional reporting on open enrollment explains cross‑district flows.
- Commute target and routes
- Map real peak‑hour drives from your top two neighborhoods to your actual office, both mornings and evenings. Edina and Minnetonka averages are similar, but access to I‑394, Hwy 7, Hwy 100, and I‑494 can change daily experience. If you rely on park‑and‑ride, check service at Ridgedale and Southdale. The Transit Link overview outlines coverage for suburban trips.
- Lot size and outdoor priorities
- If bigger yards, privacy, docks, or boat access top your list, favor Minnetonka and nearby lake‑area communities. If you want short errands and a village vibe, focus on Edina near 50th & France or Southdale. Ask your agent for recent same‑style comps so you can see how much yard you get per dollar in each area.
- Long‑term resale and neighborhood fit
- First‑ring proximity and established village centers support steady demand in many Edina pockets. Lake‑area homes in Minnetonka can perform very well within their niche. In both cases, lean on neighborhood‑specific comps rather than citywide medians when you evaluate long‑term value.
Three quick buyer profiles:
- Walkable family who wants quick city access: Edina near 50th & France or Southdale.
- Lake and yard‑focused family: Minnetonka and lake‑area neighborhoods nearby.
- Value‑seeking move‑up buyer who wants more land: inland Minnetonka versus non‑prime Edina pockets.
Final thoughts
You are not choosing between “good” and “bad” here. You are choosing between two strong suburbs with different daily rhythms. If you value walkable errands and close‑in access, Edina shines. If you want larger lots and lake proximity, Minnetonka offers more options. The best path is to ground your choice in program needs, commute routes, and the way you actually live week to week.
If you’d like a custom side‑by‑side that matches your budget, school preferences, and commute, reach out to the Warner Group. We’ll pull neighborhood‑level comps, boundary checks, and drive‑time tests so you can move forward with confidence.
FAQs
Which city has higher typical home prices, Edina or Minnetonka?
- Most market trackers show Edina selling at a premium over Minnetonka, with both above the Twin Cities metro median noted by Axios.
How do Edina and Minnetonka school options compare for families?
- Both districts are highly regarded; differences often come down to program fit, enrollment size, and address‑level boundaries, so verify assignment with district tools before you buy.
What are typical commute times to downtown Minneapolis from each city?
- Citywide averages are similar, around 20 minutes per ACS estimates, but your route to I‑394, Hwy 7, Hwy 100, or I‑494 will matter more than the city average.
How does open enrollment affect my school choice if I buy in one city but prefer a program in the other?
- Open enrollment is common; review policies early and plan for transportation if you enroll outside your home district, as highlighted in regional reporting.
How can I estimate property taxes for a home in Edina or Minnetonka?
- Use the Hennepin County property tax portal to view assessed value and tax history for a specific parcel; effective rates often fall near 1.1 to 1.3 percent per countywide snapshots.
