Janesville, WI vs Wauwatosa, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Janesville is 19.6% cheaper than Wauwatosa. With a cost index of 81 vs 100, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Janesville to Wauwatosa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Janesville is $1,037/month compared to $1,373/month in Wauwatosa — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Janesville is more affordable at $209,700 median vs $307,600.

Median household income in Janesville is $71,664 compared to $93,859 in Wauwatosa (-23.6%). While Wauwatosa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Janesville spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.6% in Wauwatosa.