Oak Grove, MN vs Owatonna, MN

The cost of living difference between Oak Grove, MN and Owatonna, MN is dramatic. Owatonna is 57% cheaper than Oak Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oak Grove has a cost index of 131 while Owatonna sits at 83, 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 Oak Grove is $2,052/month compared to $1,010/month in Owatonna — a 103% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Owatonna is more affordable at $234,600 median vs $394,100.

Median household income in Oak Grove is $114,679 compared to $81,276 in Owatonna (+41.1%). The higher salaries in Oak Grove partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Oak Grove spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Owatonna.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.8°F vs 44.8°F). Owatonna receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 30.7" in Oak Grove.