Chippewa Falls, WI vs Wausau, WI

Chippewa Falls, WI and Wausau, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Chippewa Falls scores 76 while Wausau scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chippewa Falls is $910/month compared to $950/month in Wausau — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chippewa Falls has cheaper rent, Wausau actually has lower median home values ($155,900 vs $194,800).

Median household income in Chippewa Falls is $62,133 compared to $61,877 in Wausau (+0.4%). Chippewa Falls does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Chippewa Falls spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Wausau.