Cost of Living in Wisconsin

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to easily compare the cost of living in your current location to the cost of living in a new location. We use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities to give you a comparison of costs and salary. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Wisconsin    Wisconsin is bordered by the Montreal River; Lake Superior and Michigan to the north; by Lake Michigan to the east; by Illinois to the south; and by I....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Wisconsin's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Wisconsin


Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Wisconsin

A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Wisconsin Cities compared to the national average. The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.


City, State Compared to national average
City, State Milwaukee, Wisconsin Compared to national average
+ 0.5%
City, State Madison, Wisconsin Compared to national average
+ 11.3%
City, State Green Bay, Wisconsin Compared to national average
-3.7%
City, State Kenosha, Wisconsin Compared to national average
-0.3%
City, State Racine, Wisconsin Compared to national average
-0.3%
City, State Appleton, Wisconsin Compared to national average
-3.8%
City, State Waukesha, Wisconsin Compared to national average
+ 0.1%
City, State Eau Claire, Wisconsin Compared to national average
+ 4.6%
City, State Janesville, Wisconsin Compared to national average
+ 1.3%
City, State La Crosse, Wisconsin Compared to national average
+ 0.2%
City, State Oshkosh, Wisconsin Compared to national average
-4.4%



Cost of Living by Cities in Wisconsin



Cost of Living by Major Cities

Click to see the cost of living for these major U.S. cities.


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About Wisconsin

Wisconsin is bordered by the Montreal River; Lake Superior and Michigan to the north; by Lake Michigan to the east; by Illinois to the south; and by Iowa to the southwest and Minnesota to the northwest. A border dispute with Michigan was settled by two cases, both Wisconsin v. Michigan, in 1934 and 1935. The state's boundaries include the Mississippi River and St. Croix River in the west, and the Menominee River in the northeast. With its location between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of geographical features. The state is divided into five dist...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia



Comments about the Cost of Living in Wisconsin

Buying a home and the cost of living

If you want to buy a home in the beautiful state of Wisconsin, you will find that home prices are generally below the median compared to most residential home markets in the country. Purchasing a home can be a lengthy and complex process. Besides the down payment, which is usually 15-20% of the selling price, there will be closing costs. If you own a home in your former location the sale of that home needs to be completed as well. Once you have purchased and moved into your new home, there will be utility and maintenance costs as well as property taxes and home insurance that will contribute to your cost of living. The advantages of living in Wisconsin are many, and below median prices for homes is one of them to consider. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living

Wisconsin is ranked number 11 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability. Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Cold winters and the cost of living

Energy is one of the costs that contribute to the cost of living in a state. The cost of your utilities may fluctuate based on weather conditions. Wisconsin is noted as a state that has some of the worst winter weather in the U.S. Snow, bitterly cold temperatures, storms, and strong winds can force you indoors for days on end. This typical winter weather can drive your energy costs and cost of living higher than in states with a milder climate. Expect to pay more for your utility bills during the winter months. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )


Last Update: 2024-02-26