Eau Claire, WI vs Wausau, WI

Wausau is moderately more affordable than Eau Claire, with a 9.3% lower cost of living index. Eau Claire scores 80 compared to 73 for Wausau, 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 $950/month in Wausau — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wausau is more affordable at $155,900 median vs $228,000.

Median household income in Eau Claire is $65,369 compared to $61,877 in Wausau (+5.6%). The higher salaries in Eau Claire partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Eau Claire spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Wausau.