Eau Claire, WI vs Sheboygan, WI

Sheboygan is moderately more affordable than Eau Claire, with a 11.6% lower cost of living index. Eau Claire scores 80 compared to 72 for Sheboygan, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Eau Claire can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Eau Claire is $971/month compared to $874/month in Sheboygan — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sheboygan is more affordable at $165,200 median vs $228,000.

Median household income in Eau Claire is $65,369 compared to $62,953 in Sheboygan (+3.8%). Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Sheboygan.