Darlington, WI vs Lake Mills, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Darlington is 20.7% cheaper than Lake Mills. With a cost index of 71 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Darlington to Lake Mills should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Darlington is $885/month compared to $1,095/month in Lake Mills — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Darlington is more affordable at $134,300 median vs $282,400.

Median household income in Darlington is $62,695 compared to $87,039 in Lake Mills (-28%). While Lake Mills is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Darlington spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, more than the 15.1% in Lake Mills.