Cost of Living in Wisconsin
Based on 3 cities we track in Wisconsin.
Cost of living in Wisconsin is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $849 a month — 19% lower than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $62,546, 7% lower than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$849
Median Home Value
$191,500
Median Income
$62,546
Avg Temperature
46.5°F
Medians across the Wisconsin cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
5%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 7.65%
Cities in Wisconsin
Compare Wisconsin with
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Wisconsin cost of living — FAQ
- Is Wisconsin expensive to live in?
- Wisconsin is among the more affordable of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $849 ranks #43 of 51 and is 19% lower than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Wisconsin?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Wisconsin, average rent runs a studio around $841, a one-bedroom around $849, a two-bedroom around $1,031, a three-bedroom around $1,287 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Wisconsin?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Wisconsin is $191,500 — 33% lower than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?
- Yes — Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.65% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 5%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Wisconsin?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $849 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Wisconsin is $62,546.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).