Cottage Grove, MN vs Duluth, MN

The cost of living difference between Cottage Grove, MN and Duluth, MN is dramatic. Duluth is 44% cheaper than Cottage Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cottage Grove has a cost index of 116 while Duluth sits at 80, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Cottage Grove is $1,644/month compared to $1,037/month in Duluth — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Duluth is more affordable at $225,700 median vs $359,600.

Median household income in Cottage Grove is $121,452 compared to $66,263 in Duluth (+83.3%). 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 Cottage Grove spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Duluth.