Wauwatosa, WI vs West Allis, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. West Allis is 25.6% cheaper than Wauwatosa. With a cost index of 80 vs 100, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from West Allis to Wauwatosa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Wauwatosa is $1,373/month compared to $1,012/month in West Allis — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Allis is more affordable at $191,700 median vs $307,600.

Median household income in Wauwatosa is $93,859 compared to $69,685 in West Allis (+34.7%). While Wauwatosa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Wauwatosa spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in West Allis.