Wisconsin

Avg COL Index

95

vs. 100 national avg

Where the money goes

The biggest cost pressure in Wisconsin is electricity, at 5% above the national average. The biggest break is rent, at 32% below it.

Rent trend

Rent rose an average of 5.7% over the past year across the 18 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Whitewater saw the biggest move (up 17.0%), while Stevens Point was up just 0.6%.

City to city

Where you live inside Wisconsin matters. Typical rent runs from $960 in Wausau to $1,786 in Whitewater, a gap of $826 a month or about $9,912 a year.

Affordability

Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 37% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 11th lowest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $73,140 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).

Energy and driving

Regular gas costs $3.88 a gallon, 3% below the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $175 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,580 a year versus $2,150.

Groceries

Grocery prices in the Midwest rose 1.5% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.