Cottage Grove, MN vs Red Wing, MN

The cost of living difference between Cottage Grove, MN and Red Wing, MN is dramatic. Red Wing is 38.1% 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 Red Wing sits at 84, 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 $954/month in Red Wing — a 72% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Wing is more affordable at $224,800 median vs $359,600.

Median household income in Cottage Grove is $121,452 compared to $65,259 in Red Wing (+86.1%). 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 17.5% in Red Wing.