Rent, home prices, and cost of living in Wisconsin
Across the 158 Wisconsin cities with committed home, rent, and income data, the population-weighted cost index is 103, 3% above the U.S. baseline of 100. In that sample, the median city home value is $347,016, the median city monthly rent is $1,264, and the median city household income is $81,981.
Cross-city statistics over the 158 Wisconsin cities with committed home, rent, and income data; not a statewide household median. Home value and rent: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI Aug 2026 where matched, HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR where no ZORI match, otherwise Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Household income: Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Cost index: population-weighted across the sample from those housing inputs plus BEA 2024 regional price parities.
Major cities in Wisconsin
Tax context: top income-tax rate 7.65%, estimated combined sales tax 5.72%, property-tax proxy 1.32%. Use the dedicated tax tool for an income scenario.
Most affordable Wisconsin cities for renters and buyers
Focused affordability orderings within the committed sample of Wisconsin places that have uncapped, precise housing and income data. Each list states its sort basis, source vintages, and how many places it covers.
All 158 Wisconsin cities
Every committed place in Wisconsin, grouped by population. Each entry links straight to its cost-of-living page, and the list is rendered on the server so it is visible without JavaScript.
Cities of 100,000 or more 3 cities
Cities of 25,000 to 99,999 32 cities
- Kenosha, WI
- Racine, WI
- Appleton, WI
- Waukesha, WI
- Eau Claire, WI
- Oshkosh, WI
- Janesville, WI
- West Allis, WI
- La Crosse, WI
- Sheboygan, WI
- Wauwatosa, WI
- Fond du Lac, WI
- Brookfield, WI
- New Berlin, WI
- Wausau, WI
- Menomonee Falls, WI
- Sun Prairie, WI
- Greenfield, WI
- Oak Creek, WI
- Beloit, WI
- Franklin, WI
- Manitowoc, WI
- Fitchburg, WI
- West Bend, WI
- Mount Pleasant, WI
- Neenah, WI
- Superior, WI
- Stevens Point, WI
- Muskego, WI
- De Pere, WI
- Mequon, WI
- Caledonia, WI
Cities of 10,000 to 24,999 62 cities
- Watertown, WI
- Middleton, WI
- Pleasant Prairie, WI
- Howard, WI
- Germantown, WI
- South Milwaukee, WI
- Onalaska, WI
- Fox Crossing, WI
- Oconomowoc, WI
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI
- Marshfield, WI
- Menasha, WI
- Cudahy, WI
- Kaukauna, WI
- Ashwaubenon, WI
- River Falls, WI
- Beaver Dam, WI
- Menomonie, WI
- Bellevue, WI
- Pewaukee, WI
- Hartford, WI
- Whitewater, WI
- Weston, WI
- Waunakee, WI
- Verona, WI
- Hudson, WI
- Chippewa Falls, WI
- Whitefish Bay, WI
- Greendale, WI
- Salem Lakes, WI
- Allouez, WI
- Plover, WI
- Harrison, WI
- Glendale, WI
- Shorewood, WI
- Stoughton, WI
- Greenville, WI
- Suamico, WI
- Baraboo, WI
- Port Washington, WI
- Cedarburg, WI
- Brown Deer, WI
- Fort Atkinson, WI
- Grafton, WI
- Sussex, WI
- Richfield, WI
- Little Chute, WI
- Oregon, WI
- DeForest, WI
- Platteville, WI
- Holmen, WI
- Two Rivers, WI
- Waupun, WI
- Marinette, WI
- Burlington, WI
- Lisbon, WI
- Hobart, WI
- Monroe, WI
- New Richmond, WI
- Portage, WI
- Elkhorn, WI
- Reedsburg, WI
Places under 10,000 61 cities
- Hartland, WI
- Sparta, WI
- Sturgeon Bay, WI
- Tomah, WI
- Shawano, WI
- Windsor, WI
- Merrill, WI
- McFarland, WI
- Rice Lake, WI
- St. Francis, WI
- Plymouth, WI
- Altoona, WI
- Delavan, WI
- Sheboygan Falls, WI
- Monona, WI
- Lake Geneva, WI
- Waukesha, WI
- Cottage Grove, WI
- Mukwonago, WI
- Kronenwetter, WI
- Rhinelander, WI
- Somers, WI
- Pewaukee, WI
- Antigo, WI
- Jackson, WI
- Ashland, WI
- Ripon, WI
- Mount Horeb, WI
- Jefferson, WI
- New London, WI
- Hales Corners, WI
- Vernon, WI
- Kimberly, WI
- Rib Mountain, WI
- Lake Hallie, WI
- Delafield, WI
- Sturtevant, WI
- Fox Point, WI
- Lake Mills, WI
- Elm Grove, WI
- Twin Lakes, WI
- Slinger, WI
- Waupaca, WI
- Edgerton, WI
- Evansville, WI
- Milton, WI
- Waterford, WI
- Rothschild, WI
- Berlin, WI
- Prairie du Chien, WI
- Columbus, WI
- North Fond du Lac, WI
- Lake Wisconsin, WI
- West Salem, WI
- Mayville, WI
- Bristol, WI
- Summit, WI
- Richland Center, WI
- Tichigan, WI
- Dodgeville, WI
- Union Grove, WI
Data boundary: city housing and income use committed Zillow, HUD FMR, and Census inputs; non-housing costs use BEA regional proxies; mortgage estimates use the committed FRED benchmark. HUD FMRs are 2-bedroom 40th-percentile gross-rent program benchmarks, not market medians. Tax values are state context, not an individual filing or parcel bill. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is from the Tax Foundation 2026 edition, based on 2024 ACS.
Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin
Wisconsin housing questions
What is the most affordable city to live in Wisconsin?+
Among the cities we track, North Fond du Lac stands out as the most affordable option in Wisconsin. The median home value there is $155,100, and monthly rent typically runs around $1,224. The local median household income is $62,832, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in Wisconsin?+
Elm Grove is currently the priciest market in WI. Homes there are valued at a median of $696,876, and renters can expect to pay around $3,421/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $158,016 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin uses an approximate state-income-tax planning model; 7.65% is top marginal-rate context. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is 1.32% and is not an individual bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is 5.72%.
How much does housing vary across Wisconsin?+
There's a huge range. In North Fond du Lac, the median home costs around $155,100. In Elm Grove, that number jumps to $696,876 — roughly 3x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $1,224/month vs. $3,421/month. Where you choose to settle within WI can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is Wisconsin a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. Wisconsin has a wide range of living costs depending on the city. Typical home values range from around $155,100 in lower-cost tracked places to $696,876 in higher-cost tracked places. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, state-level tax proxies, and everyday cost pressure across locations in WI.