Balsam Lake, WI vs Cedar Grove, WI

Balsam Lake, WI and Cedar Grove, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Balsam Lake scores 81 while Cedar Grove scores 79 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 Balsam Lake is $1,063/month compared to $971/month in Cedar Grove — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cedar Grove has cheaper rent, Balsam Lake actually has lower median home values ($188,600 vs $221,900).

Median household income in Balsam Lake is $48,468 compared to $87,500 in Cedar Grove (-44.6%). Cedar Grove offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Balsam Lake spend roughly 26.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.3% in Cedar Grove.