Bloomington, MN vs Cottage Grove, MN

Bloomington, MN and Cottage Grove, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Bloomington scores 111 while Cottage Grove scores 116 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,526/month compared to $1,644/month in Cottage Grove — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $346,200 median vs $359,600.

Median household income in Bloomington is $90,677 compared to $121,452 in Cottage Grove (-25.3%). While Cottage Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in Cottage Grove.