Oshkosh, WI vs Wausau, WI

Oshkosh, WI and Wausau, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh is $908/month compared to $950/month in Wausau — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oshkosh has cheaper rent, Wausau actually has lower median home values ($155,900 vs $168,400).

Median household income in Oshkosh is $61,929 compared to $61,877 in Wausau (+0.1%). Oshkosh offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Oshkosh spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Wausau.