Compare cities · September 2026
Cottage Grove vs. South St. Paul
Homes in Cottage Grove sold for a median $405,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 35% more than in South St. Paul ($300,000). Homes sold faster in South St. Paul: 35 days on market on average, against 44 in Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1990 against 1958. South St. Paul is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 27 minutes by car, against 37. The two are about 8 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Cottage Grove | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $405,000 | $300,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +1.3% | +2.7% |
| Homes sold | 687 | 226 |
| Days on market | 44 | 35 |
| Share of original list price | 98.9% | 99.8% |
| Price per square foot | $204 | $199 |
| New listings | 1,124 | 277 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 188 | 42 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.2 | 2.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Cottage Grove | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $378,800 | $281,600 |
| Median year built | 1990 | 1958 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 91% | 72% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 88% | 70% |
| Median rent | $1,783 | $1,199 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Cottage Grove | South St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 42,760 | 20,590 |
| Land area | 33.6 sq mi | 5.6 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 37 min | 27 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 25 min | 16 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 29 min | 17 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 31 min | 18 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 36 min | 27 min |
| Average commute to work | 23.9 min | 21.3 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 0 | 0 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Cottage Grove
School districts: South Washington County School District, Hastings Public School District
South St. Paul
School districts: South St. Paul Public School District
How we compare places: by their homes, housing market and location only, from public sources, never by who lives there. Medians describe the middle home; both places have homes well above and below them.
Quick answers
Cottage Grove or South St. Paul?
Is Cottage Grove or South St. Paul more expensive?
Cottage Grove. The median sale price was $405,000 there and $300,000 in South St. Paul over the 12 months through September 2026, according to the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update. The median is the middle sale, so both have homes well above and below it.
Where do homes sell faster, Cottage Grove or South St. Paul?
South St. Paul: 35 days on market on average against 44, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
South St. Paul, about 27 minutes by car in light traffic (37 from Cottage Grove). To downtown Saint Paul: 25 minutes from Cottage Grove, 16 from South St. Paul.
How far apart are Cottage Grove and South St. Paul?
About 8 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which school districts serve Cottage Grove and South St. Paul?
Cottage Grove: South Washington County School District and Hastings Public School District. South St. Paul: South St. Paul Public School District. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Cottage Grove or South St. Paul?
It depends on your budget, the kind of home you want and where you need to get to each day. This page compares the homes, prices and locations; a Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both and walk you through what's selling now.
Keep comparing
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Cottage Grove and South St. Paul.
A Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both, tell you what's selling and for how much right now, and help you decide. There's no cost to buyers.