Clear Lake, WI vs Ephraim, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Clear Lake is 22.1% cheaper than Ephraim. With a cost index of 78 vs 100, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Clear Lake to Ephraim should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Clear Lake is $910/month compared to $958/month in Ephraim — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clear Lake is more affordable at $172,100 median vs $469,100.

Median household income in Clear Lake is $73,214 compared to $79,479 in Ephraim (-7.9%). Ephraim 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 Clear Lake spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, more than the 14.5% in Ephraim.