Portage, WI vs Stevens Point, WI

Portage, WI and Stevens Point, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Portage scores 78 while Stevens Point scores 75 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 Portage is $963/month compared to $874/month in Stevens Point — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Stevens Point has cheaper rent, Portage actually has lower median home values ($187,300 vs $189,700).

Median household income in Portage is $62,785 compared to $56,218 in Stevens Point (+11.7%). While Portage is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Portage spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Stevens Point.