Barron, WI vs Portage, WI

Barron is moderately more affordable than Portage, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Barron scores 71 compared to 78 for Portage, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Portage can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Barron is $927/month compared to $963/month in Portage — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barron is more affordable at $119,500 median vs $187,300.

Median household income in Barron is $49,715 compared to $62,785 in Portage (-20.8%). While Portage is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barron spend roughly 22.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Portage.