salaryRent is higher than in 62% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. It is a highly educated city: 60.4% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $75,240 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 141 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cottage Grove?
Share of households by yearly income. 58.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cottage Grove
| Size | Cottage Grove | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,464 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,588 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,782 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,268 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cottage Grove overall?
Everyday prices in Wisconsin overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.1, 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 Wisconsin 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 $1,239 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $449,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,970 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cottage Grove, WI?
Renting in Cottage Grove costs a median of about $1,881 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Cottage Grove?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $75,240 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cottage Grove cheap or expensive?
Cottage Grove is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.0% of the typical household income of $150,249. It ranks 141st cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cottage Grove?
The median homeowner in Cottage Grove pays $7,458 a year in property taxes, about 1.66% of the median home value.
Is Cottage Grove more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Wisconsin are 6% 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 $449,700, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
8,513 people live in Cottage Grove. Numbers are typical (middle) values.