Blue Earth, MN vs Cottonwood, MN

Blue Earth is moderately more affordable than Cottonwood, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Blue Earth scores 72 compared to 76 for Cottonwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cottonwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Blue Earth is $916/month compared to $914/month in Cottonwood — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cottonwood has cheaper rent, Blue Earth actually has lower median home values ($125,200 vs $180,200).

Median household income in Blue Earth is $59,118 compared to $90,750 in Cottonwood (-34.9%). While Cottonwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Blue Earth spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.1% in Cottonwood.