Compare cities · September 2026
Cottage Grove vs. Sunfish Lake
Homes in Sunfish Lake sold for a median $1,285,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 217% more than in Cottage Grove ($405,000). Homes sold faster in Cottage Grove: 44 days on market on average, against 120 in Sunfish Lake. Cottage Grove's homes are newer, with a median year built of 1990 against 1985. Sunfish Lake is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 25 minutes by car, against 37. The two are about 9 miles apart.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Cottage Grove | Sunfish Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $405,000 | $1,285,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +1.3% | −17.1% |
| Homes sold | 687 | 9 |
| Days on market | 44 | 120 |
| Share of original list price | 98.9% | 92.2% |
| Price per square foot | $204 | $356 |
| New listings | 1,124 | 23 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 188 | 10 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 3.2 | 7.3 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Cottage Grove | Sunfish Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $378,800 | $1,115,600 |
| Median year built | 1990 | 1985 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 91% | 100% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 88% | 98% |
| Median rent | $1,783 | — |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Cottage Grove | Sunfish Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 42,760 | 522 |
| Land area | 33.6 sq mi | 1.5 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 37 min | 25 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 25 min | 16 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 29 min | 14 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 31 min | 15 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 36 min | 26 min |
| Average commute to work | 23.9 min | 18.6 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 0 | 3 |
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
Sunfish Lake
School districts: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan
Largest lakes: Sunfish Lake (46 acres), Hornbeam Lake (18 acres), Horse Shoe Lake (13 acres)
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 Sunfish Lake?
Is Cottage Grove or Sunfish Lake more expensive?
Sunfish Lake. The median sale price was $1,285,000 there and $405,000 in Cottage Grove 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 Sunfish Lake?
Cottage Grove: 44 days on market on average against 120, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Sunfish Lake, about 25 minutes by car in light traffic (37 from Cottage Grove). To downtown Saint Paul: 25 minutes from Cottage Grove, 16 from Sunfish Lake.
How far apart are Cottage Grove and Sunfish Lake?
About 9 miles in a straight line between their centers.
Which has more lakes, Cottage Grove or Sunfish Lake?
Sunfish Lake has more: 0 lakes of 10+ acres touch Cottage Grove and 3 touch Sunfish Lake (largest: Sunfish Lake), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Cottage Grove and Sunfish Lake?
Cottage Grove: South Washington County School District and Hastings Public School District. Sunfish Lake: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan. 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 Sunfish Lake?
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.
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Cottage Grove and Sunfish Lake.
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.