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City Housing Verdict

Wind Lake, WI

Stretch

The cost of living in Wind Lake, WI is 2% above the national average (Cost Index: 102). Homes here are typically valued around $357,500, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $100,306 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Wind Lake sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Wind Lake.

Monthly Housing
$1,158/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
14%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$6,701/mo
After housing and debt · $2,234/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 20%
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Cost Index
102
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$357,500
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,158/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$100,306
National: $78,538
Population
5,028
Purchasing Power
125
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
118 / 100
18% above average
Rent Index
86 / 100
14% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
90 / 100
Typical utility costs
Healthcare & Services
99 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
102
Average

Wind Lake Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $357,500 and Wisconsin's property tax rate of 1.76%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$100,306
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
14%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
3.6x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Wind Lake looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Wind Lake, WI

Est. Annual Property Tax
$6,292
Monthly Impact
$524
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.76%
National avg: ~1.00%

Wisconsin Place Tax Context

Tax TypeWisconsinNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.76%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate7.65%~5.0%
State Sales Tax5.44%~5.0%

Compare Wind Lake to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Wind Lake, WI
102
86
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Wind Lake, WI: 118
Rent Prices
86

FAQ: Living in Wind Lake

What is the cost of living like in Wind Lake, WI?+

Living costs in Wind Lake land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 102 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $357,500, and typical monthly rents run around $1,158. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.

How does Wind Lake fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,158, while local median household income is $100,306. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 14% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Wind Lake, WI?+

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 $357,500, that translates to roughly $6,292 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 5.44% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Wind Lake, WI?+

The typical monthly rent in Wind Lake is around $1,158. That's roughly 14% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $357,500, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Wind Lake, WI?+

The median home in Wind Lake is valued at $357,500. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,808/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 75% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Wind Lake?+

Grocery prices in Wind Lake 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.

What is Wind Lake, WI like to live in?+

Wind Lake is a small town with a population of about 5,028. The median age of residents is 48, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 7.64%, well below the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Wisconsin

If Wind Lake feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Wisconsin

Use these city pages when you want to compare Wind Lake against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly