A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
25%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Marshfield Wisconsin National
Cost of living9295100
Goods & Services10399100
Groceries98100100
Health care99100100
Housing7589100
Transportation9899100
Utilities9491100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Marshfield, WI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Marshfield 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 Marshfield is 92, which is 8% lower 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.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Marshfield are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Marshfield can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Marshfield Affordable?

Is Marshfield an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Marshfield is 23.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 27.6% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Marshfield has a median household income of $77,666, which is 4.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Marshfield?

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Marshfield starts at 5% and the income tax rates start at 3.54%.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Marshfield, is 24.8% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Marshfield cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Marshfield is 3% lower than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Marshfield is 8% lower than the national average
  • Marshfield housing is 25% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Marshfield

See all the best places to live around Marshfield

Compare Marshfield, WI Cost of Living

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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$95,726$7,977$2,233$2,872
      Renters$51,338$4,278$1,198$1,540
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Marshfield 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. Marshfield has a median income of about $95,726 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,233 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $51,338. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,198 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 Marshfield National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.18$27.625.2%
      Beauty Salon $51.76$51.111.3%
      Toothpaste $3.99$4.092.5%
      Shampoo $1.54$1.540.1%
      Movie $10.26$12.8820.3%
      Yoga $16.03$19.6618.5%

      Groceries

      Item Marshfield National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.52$7.702.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.53$1.668.0%
      Milk $4.68$4.731.1%
      Potatoes $5.07$5.263.5%
      Pizza $11.49$12.7610.0%
      Beer $9.02$10.5514.5%

      Health Care

      Item Marshfield National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.61$140.067.5%
      Doctor $198.58$153.8229.1%
      Dentist $112.07$123.159.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.67$11.730.5%
      Lipitor $18.05$23.6123.6%

      Housing

      Item Marshfield National avg. Difference
      Home Price $249,373.00$326,622.0023.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,328.00$2,480.256.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,045.00$1,444.0027.6%

      Transportation

      Item Marshfield National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.85$3.066.6%
      Tire Balancing $71.18$65.219.2%

      Utilities

      Item Marshfield National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $201.71$220.128.4%
      Phone $190.02$195.712.9%
      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.
      Arpin, WI3318515.3%
      Chili, WI2898613.9%
      Vesper, WI5328613.7%
      Unity, WI3648713.5%
      Granton, WI3588713.3%
      Marshfield, WI18,840927.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cudahy, WI18,834945.6%
      Round Lake, IL18,83311110.7%
      San Carlos Park, FL18,85411110.8%
      Cameron Park, CA18,82215150.8%
      White Oak, OH18,862954.6%
      Marshfield, WI18,840927.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.