Wauwatosa, WI vs West Bend, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. West Bend is 18.2% cheaper than Wauwatosa. With a cost index of 85 vs 100, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from West Bend 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 $1,033/month in West Bend — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Bend is more affordable at $244,500 median vs $307,600.

Median household income in Wauwatosa is $93,859 compared to $75,043 in West Bend (+25.1%). 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 16.5% in West Bend.