Beaver Dam, WI vs Elm Grove, WI

The cost of living difference between Beaver Dam, WI and Elm Grove, WI is dramatic. Beaver Dam is 38.9% cheaper than Elm Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Beaver Dam has a cost index of 77 while Elm Grove sits at 126, 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 $1,788/month in Elm Grove — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beaver Dam is more affordable at $189,800 median vs $468,000.

Median household income in Beaver Dam is $68,757 compared to $133,304 in Elm Grove (-48.4%). While Elm Grove 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, more than the 16.1% in Elm Grove.