Menasha, WI vs Wausau, WI

Menasha, WI and Wausau, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Menasha scores 73 while Wausau scores 73 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 Menasha is $866/month compared to $950/month in Wausau — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Menasha has cheaper rent, Wausau actually has lower median home values ($155,900 vs $169,200).

Median household income in Menasha is $64,392 compared to $61,877 in Wausau (+4.1%). Menasha offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Menasha spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Wausau.