Marshall, WI vs Portage, WI

Marshall, WI and Portage, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Marshall scores 80 while Portage scores 78 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 Marshall is $893/month compared to $963/month in Portage — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marshall has cheaper rent, Portage actually has lower median home values ($187,300 vs $233,000).

Median household income in Marshall is $84,462 compared to $62,785 in Portage (+34.5%). While Marshall is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Marshall spend roughly 12.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Portage.