| Index | Menasha | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 75 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 98 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Menasha can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Menasha cost of living index is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Menasha are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Menasha can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 11 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Menasha and this is how they responded. 45% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 55% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Menasha 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 Menasha is 25.4% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 23.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Menasha has a median household income of $78,830, which is 3.1% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Menasha, the housing index is 24.9% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Menasha, healthcare costs are 4.5% lower than the national average.
The Menasha 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 | $112,224 | $9,352 | $2,618 | $3,367 |
| Renters | $45,867 | $3,822 | $1,070 | $1,376 |
| 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. |
| Hilbert, WI | 1,073 | 89 | 11.1% |
| Chilton, WI | 3,974 | 90 | 9.9% |
| Forest Junction, WI | 702 | 91 | 8.7% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 69,404 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Dale, WI | 752 | 92 | 7.8% |
| Menasha, WI | 18,920 | 91 | 8.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Greater Vancouver A, BC | 18,924 | n/a | |
| Orange, TX | 18,926 | 88 | 11.5% |
| Maumelle, AR | 18,898 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Rutherford, NJ | 18,891 | 146 | 46.1% |
| Winchester, KY | 18,950 | 89 | 10.9% |
| Menasha, WI | 18,920 | 91 | 8.6% |
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