Random Lake, WI vs Three Oaks, MI: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Three Oaks, MI has a modeled overall cost index 11.3% higher than Random Lake, WI.

Random Lake, WI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,140 / month
Three Oaks, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,240 / 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 Random Lake, WI and Three Oaks, MI 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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Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $1,003/month in Three Oaks, MI

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $162,030 in Three Oaks, MI

Regional cost estimates: Random Lake, WI uses Milwaukee, WI. Three Oaks, MI uses Chicago, IL. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 11.3%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,003
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$12.0K
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.

Random Lake, WI

Population:2K
Cost Index:
79.9
100 = national average
Typical Home:$345K

Three Oaks, MI

Population:1K
Cost Index:
89.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$329K

Planning the move to Three Oaks?

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Random Lake, WI

The Badger State

2K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 2K residents.

Three Oaks, MI

The Great Lakes State

1K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 1K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Random Lake, WI vs Three Oaks, MI

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
↑ 49.5%
Random Lake, WI
$1,834
Three Oaks, MI
$2,742
Difference
$907
more
Transportation
↑ 11.9%
Random Lake, WI
$1,491
Three Oaks, MI
$1,669
Difference
$178
more
Healthcare
↓ 19.9%
Random Lake, WI
$813
Three Oaks, MI
$651
Difference
$162
less
Other
↑ 2.5%
Random Lake, WI
$1,703
Three Oaks, MI
$1,746
Difference
$42.97
more
Groceries
↑ 3.9%
Random Lake, WI
$1,085
Three Oaks, MI
$1,127
Difference
$42.04
more
All Utilities
↓ 1.1%
Random Lake, WI
$575
Three Oaks, MI
$568
Difference
$6.33
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$850
To$850
→ $0
1 Bed
From$960
To$950
↓ $10.00
2 Bed
From$1,140
To$1,240
↑ $100
3 Bed
From$1,410
To$1,630
↑ $220
Random Lake, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $960–$960/mo

Three Oaks, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $950–$950/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 Random Lake, WI
$8,503
Monthly in Three Oaks, MI
$1,003
Difference

Home Values

Random Lake
Three Oaks
$345K
Median Value
$329K
↑ +5.5%
YoY Change
↑ +7.2%
↑ +36.2%
5-Year Change
↑ +44.8%

Homes in Three Oaks are 5% less expensive than Random Lake

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↑ $2.5K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$206
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.6%
Rate difference

Random Lake, 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

Three Oaks, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Additional Tax Information

Random Lake, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%
Property Tax:1.8%

Three Oaks, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

💡 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

Random Lake
Three Oaks
43 Good
Air Quality
54 Moderate
68.6%
Good Air Days
35.8%
98 High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🫨
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.2°F
13 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.2°F
13 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days

Before moving from Random Lake, WI to Three Oaks, MI

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

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Three Oaks, MI for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Random Lake, 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 Random Lake to Three Oaks moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Three Oaks, MI by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Random Lake, WI vs Three Oaks, MI

How do the cost estimates for Random Lake, WI and Three Oaks, MI compare?

Three Oaks, MI has a modeled overall cost index 11.3% higher than Random Lake, 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 Random Lake, WI, the model estimates $162,030 in Three Oaks, MI. 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 Random Lake, WI and Three Oaks, MI?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,140/month in Random Lake, WI and $1,240/month in Three Oaks, MI. 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.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Wisconsin and Michigan on TaxTakeHome.com

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