Beaver Dam, WI vs Brookfield, WI

The cost of living difference between Beaver Dam, WI and Brookfield, WI is dramatic. Beaver Dam is 37% cheaper than Brookfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Beaver Dam has a cost index of 77 while Brookfield sits at 122, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Beaver Dam is $942/month compared to $1,794/month in Brookfield — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beaver Dam is more affordable at $189,800 median vs $419,300.

Median household income in Beaver Dam is $68,757 compared to $124,026 in Brookfield (-44.6%). While Brookfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Beaver Dam spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Brookfield.