Janesville, WI vs Sun Prairie, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Janesville is 21.8% cheaper than Sun Prairie. With a cost index of 81 vs 103, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Janesville to Sun Prairie should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Janesville is $1,037/month compared to $1,374/month in Sun Prairie — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Janesville is more affordable at $209,700 median vs $339,800.

Median household income in Janesville is $71,664 compared to $90,521 in Sun Prairie (-20.8%). The higher salaries in Sun Prairie partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Janesville spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.2% in Sun Prairie.