Waterford, WI

Living costs in Waterford land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 98 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $312,700, and typical monthly rents run around $1,278. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,278, while local median household income is $80,380. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 19% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

Wisconsin has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 7.65%. The effective property tax rate is 1.76%. On a home worth $312,700, that translates to roughly $5,504 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 5.44% on everyday purchases.

The typical monthly rent in Waterford is around $1,278. That's close to the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $312,700, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

The median home in Waterford is valued at $312,700. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,581/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 76% of residents here own their homes.

Grocery prices in Waterford are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 90). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

Waterford is a small town with a population of about 5,627. The median age of residents is 43.5, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 5.03%, well below the national average of 12.4%.