Athens, WI vs Nelson, WI

Athens, WI and Nelson, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Athens scores 66 while Nelson 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 Athens is $686/month compared to $786/month in Nelson — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Athens has cheaper rent, Nelson actually has lower median home values ($154,200 vs $168,100).

Median household income in Athens is $49,904 compared to $65,625 in Nelson (-24%). While Nelson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in Nelson.