| Index | Baraboo | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 84 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 105 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 98 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Baraboo allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Baraboo stands at 95, marking it 5% lower than the national average.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Baraboo are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Baraboo can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Is Baraboo affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Baraboo, for instance, where the median home price falls 15.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 18.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Baraboo flaunting a median household income of $79,500, 2.3% lower than the national norm.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Baraboo, the utilities index stands at 4.7% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Baraboo, healthcare costs are 3.1% lower than the national average.
The Baraboo cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $98,650 | $8,221 | $2,302 | $2,960 |
| Renters | $48,306 | $4,026 | $1,127 | $1,449 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Wisconsin | 5% | 6.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Wisconsin | 3.54% | 7.65% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bluffview, WI | 746 | 77 | 22.6% |
| Loganville, WI | 266 | 90 | 10.0% |
| North Freedom, WI | 668 | 90 | 9.7% |
| Rock Springs, WI | 283 | 91 | 8.8% |
| Lake Delton, WI | 3,058 | 93 | 6.9% |
| Baraboo, WI | 12,549 | 95 | 5.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Port Salerno, FL | 12,548 | 114 | 13.8% |
| Bainbridge, GA | 12,552 | 92 | 8.1% |
| Braselton, GA | 12,543 | 118 | 18.0% |
| Freeport, TX | 12,541 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Poquoson, VA | 12,541 | 127 | 26.9% |
| Baraboo, WI | 12,549 | 95 | 5.3% |