Delavan Lake, WI vs Jefferson, WI

Delavan Lake, WI and Jefferson, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Delavan Lake scores 83 while Jefferson scores 83 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 Delavan Lake is $875/month compared to $1,041/month in Jefferson — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Delavan Lake has cheaper rent, Jefferson actually has lower median home values ($222,100 vs $292,100).

Median household income in Delavan Lake is $71,042 compared to $77,095 in Jefferson (-7.9%). Jefferson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Delavan Lake spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 16.2% in Jefferson.