Cottage Grove, MN vs Fergus Falls, MN

The cost of living difference between Cottage Grove, MN and Fergus Falls, MN is dramatic. Fergus Falls is 58.1% 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 Fergus Falls sits at 73, 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 $839/month in Fergus Falls — a 96% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fergus Falls is more affordable at $173,300 median vs $359,600.

Median household income in Cottage Grove is $121,452 compared to $50,865 in Fergus Falls (+138.8%). 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 19.8% in Fergus Falls.