Harrison, WI vs Wausau, WI

The cost of living difference between Harrison, WI and Wausau, WI is dramatic. Wausau is 37.6% cheaper than Harrison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Harrison has a cost index of 101 while Wausau sits at 73, 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 Harrison is $1,397/month compared to $950/month in Wausau — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wausau is more affordable at $155,900 median vs $314,200.

Median household income in Harrison is $118,047 compared to $61,877 in Wausau (+90.8%). While Harrison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Harrison spend roughly 14.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Wausau.