Menomonie, WI vs Wausau, WI

Wausau is moderately more affordable than Menomonie, with a 6.3% lower cost of living index. Menomonie scores 78 compared to 73 for Wausau, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Menomonie can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Menomonie is $933/month compared to $950/month in Wausau — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Menomonie has cheaper rent, Wausau actually has lower median home values ($155,900 vs $203,800).

Median household income in Menomonie is $54,587 compared to $61,877 in Wausau (-11.8%). Wausau offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Menomonie spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Wausau.