Elm Grove, WI vs New Glarus, WI

The cost of living difference between Elm Grove, WI and New Glarus, WI is dramatic. New Glarus is 48.6% cheaper than Elm Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Elm Grove has a cost index of 126 while New Glarus sits at 85, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Elm Grove is $1,788/month compared to $968/month in New Glarus — a 85% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Glarus is more affordable at $267,600 median vs $468,000.

Median household income in Elm Grove is $133,304 compared to $98,224 in New Glarus (+35.7%). The higher salaries in Elm Grove partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Elm Grove spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, more than the 11.8% in New Glarus.