Onalaska, WI vs Pewaukee, WI

Onalaska is moderately more affordable than Pewaukee, with a 6.7% lower cost of living index. Onalaska scores 88 compared to 94 for Pewaukee, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pewaukee can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Onalaska is $1,096/month compared to $1,281/month in Pewaukee — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Onalaska has cheaper rent, Pewaukee actually has lower median home values ($266,300 vs $279,100).

Median household income in Onalaska is $84,898 compared to $62,380 in Pewaukee (+36.1%). Onalaska offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Onalaska spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Pewaukee.