Fond du Lac, WI vs Waukesha, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fond du Lac is 21.2% cheaper than Waukesha. With a cost index of 73 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fond du Lac to Waukesha should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fond du Lac is $905/month compared to $1,183/month in Waukesha — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fond du Lac is more affordable at $161,300 median vs $286,600.

Median household income in Fond du Lac is $61,620 compared to $81,651 in Waukesha (-24.5%). While Waukesha is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fond du Lac spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Waukesha.