Cottage Grove, WI vs Fennimore, WI

The cost of living difference between Cottage Grove, WI and Fennimore, WI is dramatic. Fennimore is 69.8% cheaper than Cottage Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cottage Grove has a cost index of 112 while Fennimore sits at 66, 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 $1,500/month compared to $694/month in Fennimore — a 116% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fennimore is more affordable at $146,200 median vs $401,900.

Median household income in Cottage Grove is $132,717 compared to $64,891 in Fennimore (+104.5%). 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 13.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.8% in Fennimore.