Cottage Grove, WI vs Middleton, WI

Cottage Grove, WI and Middleton, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Cottage Grove scores 112 while Middleton scores 112 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cottage Grove is $1,500/month compared to $1,357/month in Middleton — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Middleton has cheaper rent, Cottage Grove actually has lower median home values ($401,900 vs $457,400).

Median household income in Cottage Grove is $132,717 compared to $85,526 in Middleton (+55.2%). Cottage Grove offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cottage Grove spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in Middleton.