Jefferson, WI vs Watertown, WI

Jefferson, WI and Watertown, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Jefferson scores 83 while Watertown scores 82 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 $1,061/month in Watertown — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Jefferson has cheaper rent, Watertown actually has lower median home values ($211,500 vs $222,100).

Median household income in Jefferson is $77,095 compared to $68,333 in Watertown (+12.8%). While Jefferson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jefferson spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.6% in Watertown.