Cottage Grove, MN vs Marshall, MN

The cost of living difference between Cottage Grove, MN and Marshall, MN is dramatic. Marshall is 60% 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 Marshall sits at 72, 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 $742/month in Marshall — a 122% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshall is more affordable at $198,900 median vs $359,600.

Median household income in Cottage Grove is $121,452 compared to $64,636 in Marshall (+87.9%). 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, more than the 13.8% in Marshall.