Brookfield, WI vs Racine, WI

The cost of living difference between Brookfield, WI and Racine, WI is dramatic. Racine is 60.7% cheaper than Brookfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookfield has a cost index of 122 while Racine sits at 76, 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 Brookfield is $1,794/month compared to $983/month in Racine — a 83% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Racine is more affordable at $158,100 median vs $419,300.

Median household income in Brookfield is $124,026 compared to $55,705 in Racine (+122.6%). 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 Brookfield spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 21.2% in Racine.