salaryRent is higher than in 81% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (88.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $93,520 a year. That is $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Minnesota cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Minnesota. It is number 137 of 150 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cottage Grove?
Share of households by yearly income. 48.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cottage Grove
| Size | Cottage Grove | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,492 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,609 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,036 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,208 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,588 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cottage Grove overall?
Everyday prices in Minnesota overall are 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Cottage Grove, so the Minnesota figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Cottage Grove
Life in Cottage Grove
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cottage Grove?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $290 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $378,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,880 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cottage Grove, MN?
Renting in Cottage Grove costs a median of about $2,338 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Minnesota median is $1,525.
How much do I need to make to live in Cottage Grove?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $93,520 a year, or $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cottage Grove cheap or expensive?
Cottage Grove is rated OK: rent takes 21.5% of the typical household income of $130,273. It ranks 137th cheapest of 150 Minnesota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cottage Grove?
The median homeowner in Cottage Grove pays $3,994 a year in property taxes, about 1.05% of the median home value.
Is Cottage Grove more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Minnesota are 1% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Cottage Grove?
The median home value in Cottage Grove is $378,800, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
40,992 people live in Cottage Grove. Numbers are typical (middle) values.