Cost of Living in Wisconsin
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 802 cities in WI. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Wisconsin is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Wisconsin, with comparisons to national averages.
Wisconsin's average home value of $203,236 is 17% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $70,859, and average monthly rent is $774.
Most Affordable Cities in Wisconsin
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antigo | $94,700 | $706/mo | $46,791 | 8,058 |
| 2 | Marinette | $111,600 | $763/mo | $57,461 | 11,060 |
| 3 | Merrill | $113,200 | $784/mo | $49,947 | 9,224 |
| 4 | Wisconsin Rapids | $116,600 | $872/mo | $54,116 | 18,756 |
| 5 | Two Rivers | $121,800 | $756/mo | $58,716 | 11,224 |
| 6 | Rhinelander | $123,300 | $818/mo | $53,561 | 8,248 |
| 7 | Shawano | $127,200 | $773/mo | $56,457 | 9,236 |
| 8 | Beloit | $133,500 | $989/mo | $59,975 | 36,554 |
| 9 | Richland Center | $137,700 | $681/mo | $51,472 | 5,030 |
| 10 | Berlin | $143,800 | $814/mo | $55,216 | 5,523 |
| 11 | Manitowoc | $143,900 | $787/mo | $62,133 | 34,553 |
| 12 | North Fond du Lac | $144,900 | $1,083/mo | $61,744 | 5,373 |
| 13 | Prairie du Chien | $152,100 | $840/mo | $52,670 | 5,471 |
| 14 | Wausau | $155,900 | $950/mo | $61,877 | 39,893 |
| 15 | Racine | $158,100 | $983/mo | $55,705 | 77,155 |
Most Expensive Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delafield | $504,500 | $1,344/mo | $101,482 | 7,192 |
| 2 | Whitefish Bay | $498,700 | $1,348/mo | $154,255 | 14,750 |
| 3 | Waunakee | $490,300 | $1,236/mo | $128,750 | 14,927 |
| 4 | Mequon | $485,300 | $2,271/mo | $147,391 | 25,259 |
| 5 | Elm Grove | $468,000 | $1,788/mo | $133,304 | 6,428 |
| 6 | Middleton | $457,400 | $1,357/mo | $85,526 | 22,235 |
| 7 | Richfield | $456,500 | $1,460/mo | $135,774 | 11,806 |
| 8 | Shorewood | $423,600 | $1,291/mo | $89,135 | 13,682 |
| 9 | Lake Wisconsin | $421,500 | $1,399/mo | $116,053 | 5,051 |
| 10 | Brookfield | $419,300 | $1,794/mo | $124,026 | 41,592 |
Highest Income Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitefish Bay | $154,255 | $498,700 | 14,750 |
| 2 | Mequon | $147,391 | $485,300 | 25,259 |
| 3 | Fox Point | $140,818 | $414,900 | 6,746 |
| 4 | Richfield | $135,774 | $456,500 | 11,806 |
| 5 | Elm Grove | $133,304 | $468,000 | 6,428 |
| 6 | Cottage Grove | $132,717 | $401,900 | 7,906 |
| 7 | Waunakee | $128,750 | $490,300 | 14,927 |
| 8 | Waukesha | $126,286 | $375,700 | 8,479 |
| 9 | Tichigan | $124,821 | $386,600 | 5,173 |
| 10 | Brookfield | $124,026 | $419,300 | 41,592 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Wisconsin
What is the average cost of living in Wisconsin?
The average median home value across Wisconsin cities is $203,236, with average rent of $774/month. The average median household income is $70,859.
What are the cheapest cities in Wisconsin?
The most affordable cities in Wisconsin by home value include Antigo ($94,700), Marinette ($111,600), Merrill ($113,200).
What is the most expensive city in Wisconsin?
The most expensive city in Wisconsin is Delafield with a median home value of $504,500.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average?
Wisconsin's average home value of $203,236 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $774/month is below the US average of $1,163.