Grafton, WI vs Mauston, WI

The cost of living difference between Grafton, WI and Mauston, WI is dramatic. Mauston is 35% cheaper than Grafton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Grafton has a cost index of 93 while Mauston sits at 69, 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 Grafton is $1,162/month compared to $830/month in Mauston — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mauston is more affordable at $135,600 median vs $301,300.

Median household income in Grafton is $88,634 compared to $60,174 in Mauston (+47.3%). While Grafton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grafton spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16.6% in Mauston.