Baraboo, WI vs French Island, WI

Baraboo, WI and French Island, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Baraboo scores 78 while French Island scores 78 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 Baraboo is $926/month compared to $983/month in French Island — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Baraboo has cheaper rent, French Island actually has lower median home values ($198,200 vs $201,800).

Median household income in Baraboo is $73,515 compared to $59,462 in French Island (+23.6%). While Baraboo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Baraboo spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in French Island.