Athens, WI vs Clayton, WI

Athens, WI and Clayton, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Athens scores 66 while Clayton scores 67 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 Athens is $686/month compared to $793/month in Clayton — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Athens has cheaper rent, Clayton actually has lower median home values ($122,300 vs $168,100).

Median household income in Athens is $49,904 compared to $49,306 in Clayton (+1.2%). Athens offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in Clayton.