Janesville, WI vs West Bend, WI

Janesville, WI and West Bend, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Janesville scores 81 while West Bend scores 85 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Janesville is $1,037/month compared to $1,033/month in West Bend — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Bend has cheaper rent, Janesville actually has lower median home values ($209,700 vs $244,500).

Median household income in Janesville is $71,664 compared to $75,043 in West Bend (-4.5%). The higher salaries in West Bend 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, more than the 16.5% in West Bend.