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Cost of living in Wisconsin

Everyday prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the US average, the 20th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Wisconsin cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

Wisconsin next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
WisconsinUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Wisconsin?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$88,020
Typical household incomeA year · 22nd highest of 51
17%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,236/mo) against median income ($88,020). 9th lowest of 51.
4.4
Years of income to buy a home$389,900 median listing against $88,020 income. 19th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Wisconsin?

6,984 more people moved to Wisconsin from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Wisconsin

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Fond du Lac, WI8% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $991
    Typical home
    $339,900
    Mortgage
    $1,868/mo
  2. 2Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI3% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,313
    Typical home
    $399,450
    Mortgage
    $2,195/mo
  3. 3Madison, WI3% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,647
    Typical home
    $469,465
    Mortgage
    $2,580/mo

Wisconsin next to its neighbors

The states that border Wisconsin, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 3Iowa12% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,049
    Typical home
    $284,900
    Net moves
    -970
  2. 20WisconsinThis state6% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,236
    Typical home
    $389,900
    Net moves
    +6,984
  3. 24Michigan4% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,280
    Typical home
    $299,900
    Net moves
    +1,796
  4. 30Minnesota1% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,443
    Typical home
    $379,900
    Net moves
    +8,300
  5. 33IllinoisAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,416
    Typical home
    $324,950
    Net moves
    -40,017

Wisconsin by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Wisconsin next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Wisconsin94.179.3$389,900$2,143$1,236
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Wisconsin cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Fond du Lac$339,900$1,868$99191.6

Metro areas in Wisconsin

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Fond du Lac, WI91.6$991$339,900
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI96.9$1,313$399,450
Madison, WI97.3$1,647$469,465

Wisconsin next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Wisconsin94.1$1,236$389,900+6,984
Iowa87.8$1,049$284,900-970
Illinois100.0$1,416$324,950-40,017
Michigan96.2$1,280$299,900+1,796
Minnesota98.6$1,443$379,900+8,300

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-5,055
2020-21-18,299
2021-22+7,343
2022-23+7,744
2023-24+5,828
2024-25+6,984

States with a similar cost of living to Wisconsin

Keep comparing

Wisconsin cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Wisconsin?

Everyday prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the US average, the 20th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 79.3 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $389,900 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $2,143 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,236 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $125,390 in Wisconsin.

Is Wisconsin cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Wisconsin's regional price parity is 94.1, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 5.9% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Wisconsin?

The median listed home in Wisconsin is $389,900 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 23rd lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $2,143 a month.

How much is rent in Wisconsin?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Wisconsin is $1,236 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Wisconsin equals $150,000 in New York?

About $125,390, using BEA regional price parities for Wisconsin (94.1) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Wisconsin?

6,984 more people moved to Wisconsin from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which Wisconsin cities do you cover?

Fond du Lac ($339,900). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page