Cary, NC vs Cottage Grove, MN
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.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Cottage Grove
77.4
#246 nationally
Cary leads in walk score (28 vs 16). Cottage Grove leads in crime level (1.1 vs 1.9). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 25.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cottage Grove, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 77.4 (#246) |
| Population | 180,010 | 42,056 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $402,376 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $117,673 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 16 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 1.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+8.9 |
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →
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 →
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