Ellsworth, WI vs Rice Lake, WI

Rice Lake is moderately more affordable than Ellsworth, with a 14.5% lower cost of living index. Ellsworth scores 83 compared to 73 for Rice Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ellsworth can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ellsworth is $926/month compared to $834/month in Rice Lake — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rice Lake is more affordable at $178,100 median vs $229,400.

Median household income in Ellsworth is $72,609 compared to $55,040 in Rice Lake (+31.9%). While Ellsworth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellsworth spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in Rice Lake.