Baraboo, WI vs West Bend, WI

Baraboo is moderately more affordable than West Bend, with a 7.8% lower cost of living index. Baraboo scores 78 compared to 85 for West Bend, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Bend can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Baraboo is $926/month compared to $1,033/month in West Bend — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Baraboo is more affordable at $201,800 median vs $244,500.

Median household income in Baraboo is $73,515 compared to $75,043 in West Bend (-2%). West Bend does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Baraboo spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in West Bend.