Cottonwood, MN vs Moose Lake, MN

Cottonwood, MN and Moose Lake, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Cottonwood scores 76 while Moose Lake scores 75 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 Cottonwood is $914/month compared to $901/month in Moose Lake — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Moose Lake has cheaper rent, Cottonwood actually has lower median home values ($180,200 vs $205,000).

Median household income in Cottonwood is $90,750 compared to $61,576 in Moose Lake (+47.4%). While Cottonwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cottonwood spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Moose Lake.