Ashland, WI vs Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Ashland, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Ashland scores 67 while Wisconsin Rapids scores 69 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 Ashland is $697/month compared to $872/month in Wisconsin Rapids — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ashland has cheaper rent, Wisconsin Rapids actually has lower median home values ($116,600 vs $162,200).

Median household income in Ashland is $49,258 compared to $54,116 in Wisconsin Rapids (-9%). While Wisconsin Rapids is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashland spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in Wisconsin Rapids.