Menasha, WI vs Beaver Dam, WI: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Beaver Dam, WI has a modeled overall cost index 13.8% higher than Menasha, WI.

Menasha, WI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,150 / month
Beaver Dam, WI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,110 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Menasha, WI and Beaver Dam, WI using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
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Estimated extra cost: $903/month in Beaver Dam, WI

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $160,836 in Beaver Dam, WI

Regional cost estimates: Menasha, WI uses Milwaukee, WI. Beaver Dam, WI uses Madison, WI. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 13.8%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$903
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.8K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Menasha, WI

Population:18K
Cost Index:
86.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$267K

Beaver Dam, WI

Population:17K
Cost Index:
97.9
100 = national average
Typical Home:$279K

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Menasha, WI

The Badger State

18K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 18K residents.

Beaver Dam, WI

The Badger State

17K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 17K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Menasha, WI vs Beaver Dam, WI

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 41.3%
Menasha, WI
$1,856
Beaver Dam, WI
$2,623
Difference
$767
more
Other
↑ 10.0%
Menasha, WI
$1,723
Beaver Dam, WI
$1,895
Difference
$172
more
Transportation
↓ 1.3%
Menasha, WI
$1,509
Beaver Dam, WI
$1,489
Difference
$20.07
less
Groceries
↓ 0.7%
Menasha, WI
$1,058
Beaver Dam, WI
$1,051
Difference
$7.06
less
Healthcare
↓ 0.7%
Menasha, WI
$793
Beaver Dam, WI
$788
Difference
$5.29
less
All Utilities
↓ 0.7%
Menasha, WI
$561
Beaver Dam, WI
$557
Difference
$3.74
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$860
To$770
↓ $90.00
1 Bed
From$890
To$900
↑ $10.00
2 Bed
From$1,150
To$1,110
↓ $40.00
3 Bed
From$1,560
To$1,490
↓ $70.00
Menasha, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$890/mo

Beaver Dam, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $900–$900/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Menasha, WI
$8,403
Monthly in Beaver Dam, WI
$903
Difference

Home Values

Menasha
Beaver Dam
$267K
Median Value
$279K
↑ +6.9%
YoY Change
↑ +6.9%
↑ +48.9%
5-Year Change
↑ +44.8%

Homes in Beaver Dam are 4% more expensive than Menasha

Calculate payment - MenashaCalculate payment - Beaver Dam

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Menasha, WI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Wisconsin State Tax
Effective: 5.9%
$8.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.6%
$45.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,678/month
$104.1K

Beaver Dam, WI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Wisconsin State Tax
Effective: 5.9%
$8.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.6%
$45.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,678/month
$104.1K

Additional Tax Information

Menasha, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%
Property Tax:1.8%

Beaver Dam, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%
Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Menasha
Beaver Dam
43 Good
Air Quality
42 Good
68.6%
Good Air Days
72.1%
98 High
Climate Risk
94 Moderate
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌪💨
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
13 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
13 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days

Before moving from Menasha, WI to Beaver Dam, WI

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Beaver Dam, WI for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Menasha, WI. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Menasha to Beaver Dam moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Beaver Dam, WI by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Menasha, WI vs Beaver Dam, WI

How do the cost estimates for Menasha, WI and Beaver Dam, WI compare?

Beaver Dam, WI has a modeled overall cost index 13.8% higher than Menasha, WI. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Menasha, WI, the model estimates $160,836 in Beaver Dam, WI. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Menasha, WI and Beaver Dam, WI?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,150/month in Menasha, WI and $1,110/month in Beaver Dam, WI. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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