Eau Claire, WI vs Oak Creek, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Eau Claire is 20.5% cheaper than Oak Creek. With a cost index of 80 vs 101, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Eau Claire to Oak Creek should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Eau Claire is $971/month compared to $1,397/month in Oak Creek — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Eau Claire is more affordable at $228,000 median vs $305,100.

Median household income in Eau Claire is $65,369 compared to $93,120 in Oak Creek (-29.8%). While Oak Creek is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Eau Claire spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 18% in Oak Creek.