Cottage Grove, MN vs Des Plaines, 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
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 16). Cottage Grove leads in crime level (1.1 vs 3.3). Cottage Grove leads in median household income ($117,673 vs $86,552).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cottage Grove, MN | Des Plaines, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.4 (#246) | 76.4 (#348) |
| Population | 42,056 | 58,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $402,376 | $360,725 |
| Median Household Income | $117,673 | $86,552 |
| Average Commute | 25.3 min | 29.9 min |
| Walk Score | 16 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 1.1 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | D+42.0 |
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
76.4 Score
Des Plaines, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,725
Population
58,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
57
Midwest
View Des Plaines, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Cottage Grove for: