Medford, WI vs Shell Lake, WI

Medford, WI and Shell Lake, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Medford scores 71 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 Medford is $809/month compared to $713/month in Shell Lake — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shell Lake has cheaper rent, Medford actually has lower median home values ($175,300 vs $207,100).

Median household income in Medford is $53,173 compared to $56,875 in Shell Lake (-6.5%). While Shell Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Medford spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Shell Lake.