Eau Claire, WI vs West Allis, WI

Eau Claire, WI and West Allis, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Eau Claire scores 80 while West Allis scores 80 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 Eau Claire is $971/month compared to $1,012/month in West Allis — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Eau Claire has cheaper rent, West Allis actually has lower median home values ($191,700 vs $228,000).

Median household income in Eau Claire is $65,369 compared to $69,685 in West Allis (-6.2%). West Allis offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Eau Claire spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in West Allis.