Lake Ozark, MO vs Winona, MO

The cost of living difference between Lake Ozark, MO and Winona, MO is dramatic. Winona is 52.6% cheaper than Lake Ozark, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lake Ozark has a cost index of 88 while Winona sits at 58, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lake Ozark is $1,017/month compared to $575/month in Winona — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Winona is more affordable at $101,500 median vs $308,700.

Median household income in Lake Ozark is $80,476 compared to $32,083 in Winona (+150.8%). While Lake Ozark is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Ozark spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, less than the 21.5% in Winona.