| Index | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 79 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 98 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Beaver Dam 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 Beaver Dam stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Beaver Dam is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses 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.
Wondering if Beaver Dam is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Beaver Dam, for example, the median home price is 24.2% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.5% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Beaver Dam boasting a median household income of $82,828, which is 1.8% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Beaver Dam, the general sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates begin at 3.54%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Beaver Dam, the healthcare costs are 1.2% lower than the national average.
The Beaver Dam 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 | $115,696 | $9,641 | $2,699 | $3,471 |
| Renters | $57,621 | $4,802 | $1,344 | $1,729 |
| 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. |
| Randolph, WI | 1,678 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Cambria, WI | 714 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Lowell, WI | 241 | 88 | 12.0% |
| Burnett, WI | 336 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Clyman, WI | 364 | 89 | 10.9% |
| Beaver Dam, WI | 16,884 | 93 | 7.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Parkway, CA | 16,882 | 121 | 20.6% |
| Dyersburg, TN | 16,887 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Menomonie, WI | 16,888 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Hillcrest Heights, MD | 16,890 | 113 | 13.3% |
| Glassmanor, MD | 16,877 | 115 | 15.1% |
| Beaver Dam, WI | 16,884 | 93 | 7.3% |
Here are the best places to live in Wisconsin
These are the largest cities in Wisconsin
See the best places to live in Beaver Dam
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Wisconsin