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City Report · MN

Cottage Grove

Pop. 40,992·19th most expensive in Minnesota·Rental market data updated monthly for Cottage Grove, MN
Median rent (all units)
$1,916/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.0%
Month-over-Month
-2.9%
vs US Median
-$49
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cottage Grove · $1,916
More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,916/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$77,000/yr
Local median income
$120,791/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Cottage Grove's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,540
1 BR
$1,750
2 BR
$2,130
3 BR
$2,840
4 BR+
$3,180
Research median
$2,130/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,992/yr
At $1,916/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, -2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Cottage Grove, MN is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 40.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,992
Median income
$120,791
Median age
36.5
Renters
11.8%
Age distribution
25.4%
21.7%
27.4%
14.1%
Under 1825.4%
18–3421.7%
35–5427.4%
55–6411.4%
65+14.1%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
74.4%
White74.4%
Black6.5%
Hispanic7.6%
Asian7.4%
Other4.1%
Education (25+)
23.6%
30.6%
40.8%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma23.6%
Some college30.6%
Bachelor's+40.8%
Housing tenure
88.2%
Owner88.2%
Renter11.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Cottage Grove, MN has changed in 5 years

Income
$108,887 → $120,791
up 10.9%
Population
38,582 → 40,992
up 6.2%
Renter share
12.1% → 11.8%
-0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
39.8% → 40.8%
+1.0 pts

Census figures show median household income at $120,791 today, compared with $108,887 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 38,582 to 40,992 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.2% change.

Community

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View Cottage Grove rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cottage Grove on your salary?

At $1,916/mo, how Cottage Grove rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cottage Grove rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Cottage Grove. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cottage Grove

About renting in Cottage Grove, MN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cottage Grove is $1,916/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,540/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,840/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($120,791/yr), Cottage Grove ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage Grove an affordable city for renters?

Cottage Grove is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,916/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($120,791/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cottage Grove falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Cottage Grove?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,916/mo in Cottage Grove. The local median household income is $120,791/yr, meaning the typical Cottage Grove household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cottage Grove?

Rent in Cottage Grove has increased 4.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Cottage Grove rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Cottage Grove is one of the pricier cities in Minnesota for rent, ranking #19 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,916/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cottage Grove?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cottage Grove ($1,916/mo): South Saint Paul ($1,453/mo), Inver Grove Heights ($1,861/mo).

What percentage of Cottage Grove residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 11.8% of Cottage Grove households are renters, while 88.2% are owner-occupied. Cottage Grove leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cottage Grove rent compare to the national average?

Cottage Grove's median rent of $1,916/mo is $49 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #19 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,916/mo, rent takes ~19% of Cottage Grove's median household income ($120,791/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cottage Grove 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.35–9.85%
Run the Cottage Grove affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Cottage Grove
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cottage Grove, MN

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