Middleton, WI vs Portage, WI

The cost of living difference between Middleton, WI and Portage, WI is dramatic. Portage is 43.6% cheaper than Middleton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Middleton has a cost index of 112 while Portage sits at 78, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Middleton is $1,357/month compared to $963/month in Portage — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portage is more affordable at $187,300 median vs $457,400.

Median household income in Middleton is $85,526 compared to $62,785 in Portage (+36.2%). The higher salaries in Middleton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Middleton spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Portage.