Altoona, WI vs Lake Wissota, WI

Altoona, WI and Lake Wissota, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Altoona scores 85 while Lake Wissota scores 89 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $1,157/month compared to $1,029/month in Lake Wissota — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lake Wissota has cheaper rent, Altoona actually has lower median home values ($220,900 vs $318,300).

Median household income in Altoona is $80,126 compared to $101,445 in Lake Wissota (-21%). While Lake Wissota is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Altoona spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.2% in Lake Wissota.