Townhome Or Single Family Home In Oakdale: How To Decide
May 21, 2026
May 21, 2026
Trying to choose between a townhome and a single-family home in Oakdale? You are not alone. Many buyers find themselves weighing yard space, privacy, upkeep, and monthly costs all at once. The good news is that Oakdale offers both options, and the right fit usually becomes clearer when you compare how you want to live day to day. Let’s dive in.
Oakdale has a mix of housing choices, but single-family homes and townhomes make up a large share of the local market. According to the city’s 2025 housing study, 53% of Oakdale’s housing stock is single-family detached and 21% is townhomes. The study also notes that most of these homes were built between 1960 and 2000 for detached homes and 1980 to 2000 for townhomes.
That matters because many buyers in Oakdale are not just comparing floor plans. You are often comparing maintenance needs, update potential, and monthly ownership costs in homes that may be several decades old.
The best choice usually starts with your lifestyle, not just the list price. A townhome and a single-family home can both work well in Oakdale, but they solve different problems.
If you want less exterior work and more predictable day-to-day upkeep, a townhome may feel easier to manage. If you want more privacy, more outdoor space, and more flexibility to change the exterior, a single-family home may be the better fit.
A townhome often appeals to buyers who want a simpler routine. In many communities, the homeowners association handles some shared maintenance, and that can reduce the number of outside chores on your list.
This can be especially helpful if you travel often, want to downsize, or simply do not want to spend weekends on yard work. Some Oakdale townhome listings also highlight low-maintenance yards and private living space, which speaks to that convenience factor.
A single-family home usually gives you more direct control over the property. That can mean more freedom with landscaping, fencing, and exterior changes, depending on local rules and permits.
It also often means more room outside. Current Oakdale detached-home listings include examples on lots around 0.23, 0.30, and 0.31 acres, which can be a meaningful difference if you want outdoor living space, storage, or more separation from neighbors.
In Oakdale, the decision is often less about headline price and more about total monthly cost. That is important because current price data does not show a large, consistent gap between townhomes and single-family homes.
Realtor.com currently shows median prices around $310,000 for both property types, while other data sources show different medians. The main takeaway is that you should treat broad online price comparisons as directional, then build your decision around the full monthly payment.
When you compare homes, look beyond principal and interest. A smart side-by-side budget should include:
This matters in Oakdale because both townhomes and detached homes are often older resale properties. A home with a lower asking price can still cost more each month if it has higher dues, upcoming repairs, or larger utility bills.
Townhomes often come with association fees, and those fees vary. Current Oakdale listing examples show HOA dues of $273, $344, $360, and $490 per month.
That does not automatically make a townhome more expensive or less attractive. It simply means you need to understand what the fee covers and whether that tradeoff fits your budget and lifestyle.
In many Minnesota townhome communities, ownership and maintenance responsibilities are governed by the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act. The association documents help define what you own individually, what is shared, what the HOA maintains, and how costs are divided.
That structure can be helpful, but it also means you need to read the rules carefully. Depending on the community, there may be policies related to parking, pets, exterior changes, landscaping, decorations, fences, or noise.
Before you buy into a townhome community in Oakdale, ask questions like:
These details can make a big difference in how the home feels after move-in. A townhome may look like the simpler option at first, but the right fit depends on whether the community rules match your expectations.
For many buyers, this is the deciding factor. If you picture summer evenings on a larger yard, more distance from neighbors, or future exterior projects, a detached home may line up better with your goals.
Townhomes can still offer comfortable living space. Current Oakdale townhome listings range from about 1,012 to 2,433 square feet, including several new-construction homes around 1,714 to 1,820 square feet. That gives you a solid range of options if indoor space matters more than lot size.
Ask yourself these practical questions:
Your answers will usually point you in the right direction faster than price alone.
Oakdale looks more like a moderate suburban market than an extreme shortage market right now. Minneapolis Area Realtors reported a February 2026 median sales price of $281,750, with 37 homes for sale, 1.2 months of inventory, and 46 days on market.
For you, that means choice still matters, but so does preparation. Whether you are shopping for a townhome or a detached home, it helps to know your budget, your must-haves, and your comfort level with repairs and monthly costs before you start writing offers.
There is no universal right answer, but there are clear patterns. The better choice usually depends on what you want your ownership experience to feel like.
A townhome may be a strong fit if you want:
Oakdale’s housing study points to a need for more entry-level options and housing that can help older adults stay in the community. That makes townhomes especially relevant for buyers who want practicality and simpler upkeep.
A single-family home may be a stronger fit if you want:
The tradeoff is simple. You get more control, but you also take on more maintenance and repair responsibility directly.
Oakdale buyers may also want to look at local support that could affect the decision. In April 2026, the city announced a First-Generation Homebuyer Grant of up to $10,000 and a Repair and Renovate Program with forgivable loans up to $10,000 for eligible households.
For some buyers, that may help make a detached home with update needs more realistic. For others, it may reduce the upfront barrier to buying a townhome. If you are deciding between property types, these programs may be worth factoring into the conversation early.
If you are stuck between the two, compare specific homes through the lens of ownership, not just shopping. A clear framework can make the decision much easier.
Use this checklist as you narrow your options:
Buying and selling both come with costs, so it helps to choose a home that works for your near-term budget and your likely holding period.
If you want help comparing Oakdale townhomes and single-family homes in a way that matches your budget and lifestyle, Gary L Bredeson can help you sort through the options with local insight and practical guidance.
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With nearly two decades helping clients in White Bear Lake and the Twin Cities, I know the local market inside and out. Whether you’re buying your first home or selling your last, I’ll put my knowledge and dedication to work to help you achieve the best outcome. Let’s start your journey today.