Cottage Grove, MN vs Normal, 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
Normal
76.8
#316 nationally
Cottage Grove leads in crime level (1.1 vs 9.0). Normal leads in walk score (40 vs 16). Cottage Grove leads in median household income ($117,673 vs $63,965).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cottage Grove, MN | Normal, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.4 (#246) | 76.8 (#316) |
| Population | 42,056 | 52,618 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $402,376 | $269,069 |
| Median Household Income | $117,673 | $63,965 |
| Average Commute | 25.3 min | 17.2 min |
| Walk Score | 16 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 1.1 | 9.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | D+4.9 |
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
76.8 Score
Normal, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$269,069
Population
52,618
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Normal, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Cottage Grove for: