Cottage Grove, MN vs Sartell, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Sartell is 28.2% cheaper than Cottage Grove. With a cost index of 90 vs 116, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Sartell to Cottage Grove should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cottage Grove is $1,644/month compared to $1,197/month in Sartell — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sartell is more affordable at $278,000 median vs $359,600.

Median household income in Cottage Grove is $121,452 compared to $77,465 in Sartell (+56.8%). 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 18.5% in Sartell.