Cottage Grove, MN vs Darien, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Cottage Grove
77.4
#246 nationally
Darien
75.1
#500 nationally
Darien leads in walk score (35 vs 16). Cottage Grove leads in average commute (25.3 min vs 29.7 min). Cottage Grove leads in cost of living index (114 vs 122).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cottage Grove, MN | Darien, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.4 (#246) | 75.1 (#500) |
| Population | 42,056 | 21,698 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $402,376 | $463,450 |
| Median Household Income | $117,673 | $110,546 |
| Average Commute | 25.3 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 16 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | D+13.3 |
C+
77.4 Score
Cottage Grove, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$402,376
Population
42,056
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
16
Midwest
View Cottage Grove, MN →
C
75.1 Score
Darien, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$463,450
Population
21,698
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Darien, IL →
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