Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Cottage Grove, Minnesota is a mid-sized city with a population of 37,120 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 84% of Cottage Grove residents are White, 5% Black and 5% Asian. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Cottage Grove, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 25 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Cottage Grove is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before moving to any new city in Minnesota, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Cottage Grove and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Cottage Grove to Minnesota and the national average.
The livability score in Cottage Grove is 75 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 88th percentile of all cities across America. This is a phenomenal score, as Cottage Grove ranks well in multiple categories! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Cottage Grove has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A+), education (B) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Cottage Grove does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Cottage Grove, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 71 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Cottage Grove has an unemployment rate of 2.08% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Cottage Grove has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Cottage Grove real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Cottage Grove. Median real estate prices in Cottage Grove come in at $261,500, which is 36.6% higher than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Cottage Grove, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Minnesota average.
| Statistic | Cottage Grove | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.3% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.5% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.9% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.8% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.6% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
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