Cost of LivingUpdated 2026-11-11

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Living in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin is about 5% cheaper than the national average, with a cost of living index of 95 (US = 100). Typical rent is $1,108 a month, 43% below the national figure of $1,932, and regular gas costs $3.88 a gallon versus $3.98 nationally as of November 11, 2026. Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 34% of the area's $72,893 median household income.

Key Numbers

Gas (Regular)

$3.88

National: $3.98

โ†‘ 232.6%since 2000
โœ“ AAA Gas Prices

Avg Rent (All)

$1,108

National: $1,932

โ†‘ 10.2%since 2024
โœ“ Zillow ZORI Wisconsin Rapids, WI metro (2026-09)

Grocery Inflation

1.77%

Year-over-year

โœ“ BLS/FRED CPI

Fast Food Avg

$13.49

Combo meal

โ†‘ 5.4%YoY

Electricity

19.41ยข

per kWh ยท ~$175/mo

โ†‘ 5.3%vs US avg
โœ“ EIA Residential

Car Insurance

$106/mo

$1,268/yr

โ†“ 41.0%vs national avg
โœ“ Bankrate/NAIC

Median Household Income

$72,893

34.1% goes to essentials

โ†“ 34.1%cost burden
โœ“ Census ACS 2023
๐Ÿš—

Car Insurance

Avg $1,268 in Wisconsin Rapids. Compare rates:

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Find Apartments

Avg rent $1,108/mo in Wisconsin Rapids. Browse listings:

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Grocery Prices

Grocery Prices โ€” 2000 to Present

National BLS averages ยท submit local prices below โ†“

Eggs (dozen)

Bird flu volatility

$0.97 in 2000 โ†’ $2.32 BLS avg

$1.29 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED) (Mar 2026)

+137.9%

Milk (gallon)

$2.79 in 2000 โ†’ $4.10 BLS avg

$2.69 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED) (Mar 2026)

+47.3%

Ground Beef (lb)

$1.48 in 2000 โ†’ $6.75 BLS avg

+355.5%

Bread (loaf)

$0.91 in 2000 โ†’ $1.86 BLS avg

$2.49 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED) (Mar 2026)

+105.2%

Chicken Breast (lb)

$1.06 in 2000 โ†’ $2.03 BLS avg

$4.99 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED) (Mar 2026)

+91.3%

Butter (lb)

$3.98 BLS avg

$6.99 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED) (Mar 2026)

-4.2% since 2018

Bacon (lb)

$2.75 in 2000 โ†’ $6.69 BLS avg

+143.1%

Cheddar Cheese (lb)

$3.84 in 2000 โ†’ $6.13 BLS avg

+59.6%

Pasta (lb)

$0.88 in 2000 โ†’ $1.38 BLS avg

+57.1%

Rice (5 lb)

$2.50 in 2000 โ†’ $5.50 BLS avg

+120.6%

Coffee (12 oz)

$2.65 in 2000 โ†’ $6.94 BLS avg

+161.3%

Orange Juice (64 oz)

Citrus shortage

$5.42 estimate

+45.7% since 2022

Potatoes (5 lb)

$1.96 in 2000 โ†’ $4.95 BLS avg

+152.6%

Apples (3 lb)

$5.20 estimate

+15.8% since 2022

Tomatoes (lb)

$1.44 in 2000 โ†’ $2.08 BLS avg

+44.4%

Lettuce (head)

$0.75 in 2000 โ†’ $1.96 BLS avg

+162.3%

Cooking Oil (48 oz)

$7.76 estimate

+40.1% since 2022

Yogurt (32 oz)

$4.94 estimate

+19.0% since 2022

Cereal (family size)

$6.20 estimate

+29.4% since 2022

Frozen Pizza

$8.65 estimate

+37.1% since 2022

Dining & Restaurants

Fast Food Meal

$13.49

Casual Dining

$24.93

Monthly Spend

$441.46

+5.41% YoY

Chain Restaurant Meal Prices โ€” 2022 vs. Today

Combo meal / typical order for one

McDonald's

2022: $8.36

$13.49

+61.4%

Wendy's

2022: $9.44

$14.57

+54.3%

Chipotle

2022: $10.12

$15.11

+49.3%

Starbucks

2022: $4.58

$6.36

+38.9%

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Looking for an Apartment in Wisconsin Rapids?

Average 1BR: $909/mo ยท 2BR: $1,307/mo

Browse Wisconsin Rapids Apartments โ†’

Wisconsin Rapids Cost of Living FAQ

Is Wisconsin Rapids, WI expensive to live in?

Wisconsin Rapids has a cost of living index of 95, where 100 is the US average, so it is about 5% cheaper than average. It is the 3rd most expensive of the 18 Wisconsin cities we track.

What is the average rent in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

Typical rent in Wisconsin Rapids is $1,108 a month for all home types as of September 2026, 43% below the national figure of $1,932. One bedroom units average about $909 and two bedrooms about $1,307. Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index for the metro area.

Is rent going up in Wisconsin Rapids?

Rent in Wisconsin Rapids rose 4.5% over the past year, faster than the 2.7% change nationally.

How much is gas in Wisconsin Rapids?

Regular unleaded costs about $3.88 a gallon in Wisconsin Rapids as of November 11, 2026, based on the AAA average for Wisconsin. That is 3% below the national average of $3.98.

How much is electricity in Wisconsin Rapids?

Homes in Wisconsin pay an average of 19.4 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill in Wisconsin Rapids is about $175.

How much is car insurance in Wisconsin Rapids?

Full coverage car insurance averages $1,268 a year in Wisconsin, or about $106 a month (Bankrate and NAIC state average), compared with $2,150 a year nationally.

How much do you need to live in Wisconsin Rapids?

Median household income in the Wisconsin Rapids area is $72,893 (Census ACS 2023, county level). Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance add up to about $24,833 a year, or 34% of that income. Groceries are counted at $5,846 a year, the average household spend on food at home in the region (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).

How does Wisconsin Rapids compare with the rest of Wisconsin?

Rent in Wisconsin Rapids is 15% below the $1,309 average across the 18 Wisconsin cities we track, and its cost of living index of 95 compares with a state average of 95.

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