Jefferson, WI vs Tainter Lake, WI

Jefferson, WI and Tainter Lake, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Jefferson scores 83 while Tainter Lake scores 81 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 Jefferson is $1,041/month compared to $883/month in Tainter Lake — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tainter Lake has cheaper rent, Jefferson actually has lower median home values ($222,100 vs $275,600).

Median household income in Jefferson is $77,095 compared to $96,250 in Tainter Lake (-19.9%). Tainter 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 Jefferson spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11% in Tainter Lake.