Eau Claire, WI vs Wauwatosa, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Eau Claire is 20.1% cheaper than Wauwatosa. With a cost index of 80 vs 100, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Eau Claire to Wauwatosa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Eau Claire is $971/month compared to $1,373/month in Wauwatosa — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Eau Claire is more affordable at $228,000 median vs $307,600.

Median household income in Eau Claire is $65,369 compared to $93,859 in Wauwatosa (-30.4%). While Wauwatosa 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, more than the 17.6% in Wauwatosa.