Lena, WI vs Shell Lake, WI

Lena is moderately more affordable than Shell Lake, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Lena scores 62 compared to 72 for Shell Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Shell Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lena is $637/month compared to $713/month in Shell Lake — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lena is more affordable at $132,900 median vs $207,100.

Median household income in Lena is $57,917 compared to $56,875 in Shell Lake (+1.8%). Lena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lena spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15% in Shell Lake.