Mauston, WI vs Shell Lake, WI

Mauston, WI and Shell Lake, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Mauston scores 69 while Shell Lake scores 72 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 Mauston is $830/month compared to $713/month in Shell Lake — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shell Lake has cheaper rent, Mauston actually has lower median home values ($135,600 vs $207,100).

Median household income in Mauston is $60,174 compared to $56,875 in Shell Lake (+5.8%). Mauston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mauston spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Shell Lake.