Hayward, WI vs Rib Lake, WI

Rib Lake is moderately more affordable than Hayward, with a 10.4% lower cost of living index. Hayward scores 69 compared to 63 for Rib Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hayward can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hayward is $691/month compared to $707/month in Rib Lake — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hayward has cheaper rent, Rib Lake actually has lower median home values ($99,300 vs $184,200).

Median household income in Hayward is $40,085 compared to $55,813 in Rib Lake (-28.2%). Rib Lake offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hayward spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Rib Lake.