Chief Lake, WI vs Washburn, WI

Chief Lake is moderately more affordable than Washburn, with a 10.4% lower cost of living index. Chief Lake scores 63 compared to 71 for Washburn, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Washburn can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chief Lake is $758/month compared to $779/month in Washburn — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chief Lake is more affordable at $92,100 median vs $174,100.

Median household income in Chief Lake is $67,813 compared to $60,288 in Washburn (+12.5%). Chief Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chief Lake spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Washburn.