A-
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
1%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Greenfield Wisconsin National
Cost of living10196100
Goods & Services9997100
Groceries10399100
Health care111112100
Housing10188100
Transportation9998100
Utilities105102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Greenfield, WI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Greenfield is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Greenfield is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Greenfield is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Greenfield Affordable?

Is Greenfield an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Greenfield, the median home price is 0.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 2.7% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Greenfield come in at $61,988, which is 12% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Greenfield?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Greenfield, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 3.54%.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Greenfield, the utilities index is 5.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Greenfield cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Greenfield is 5% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Greenfield is 1% higher than the national average
  • Greenfield housing is 1% higher than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 57% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Greenfield

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Compare Greenfield, WI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$75,856$6,321$1,770$2,276
      Renters$47,184$3,932$1,101$1,416
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Greenfield is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Greenfield has a median income of about $75,856 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,770 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $47,184. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,101 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Wisconsin Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Wisconsin 5% 6.75%

      Wisconsin Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Wisconsin 3.54% 7.65%

      Goods & Services

      Item Greenfield National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.21$24.2616.7%
      Beauty Salon $33.25$45.5627.0%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.07$1.2816.6%
      Movie $10.26$12.1315.5%
      Bowling $10.03$18.0044.3%

      Groceries

      Item Greenfield National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.05$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.3%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.7%
      Potatoes $4.10$4.9317.0%
      Pizza $11.33$12.096.3%
      Beer $8.52$10.4118.2%

      Health Care

      Item Greenfield National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $278.65$125.68121.7%
      Doctor $223.73$135.7864.8%
      Dentist $106.79$113.295.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.29$10.653.4%
      Lipitor $469.65$468.600.2%

      Housing

      Item Greenfield National avg. Difference
      Home Price $184,400.00$184,700.000.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,879.64$2,346.6919.9%
      Apartment Rent $975.00$949.002.7%

      Transportation

      Item Greenfield National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.30$3.464.5%
      Tire Balancing $44.14$59.9226.3%

      Utilities

      Item Greenfield National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.69$193.995.8%
      Phone $185.79$192.253.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Milwaukee, WI592,649936.5%
      West Milwaukee, WI4,128945.7%
      West Allis, WI59,861964.4%
      Lannon, WI1,184964.2%
      St. Francis, WI9,600964.1%
      Greenfield, WI37,1171010.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cottage Grove, MN37,12011111.3%
      Richmond West, FL37,12313131.0%
      Côte-Saint-Luc, QC37,097n/a 
      Mechanicsville, VA37,14111010.0%
      Aventura, FL37,15113130.6%
      Greenfield, WI37,1171010.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.