| Index | Monroe | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 75 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 98 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Monroe 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 Monroe 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.
The cost of living in Monroe 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.
Is Monroe 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 Monroe is 26.3% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 22.9% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Monroe has a median household income of $76,347, which is 6.1% lower than the national average.
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 Monroe, the healthcare costs are 1% 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.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Monroe comes in at 3.8% higher than the national average.
The Monroe cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for 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 | $99,658 | $8,305 | $2,325 | $2,990 |
| Renters | $44,152 | $3,679 | $1,030 | $1,325 |
| 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. |
| Woodford, WI | 47 | 78 | 21.9% |
| South Wayne, WI | 387 | 82 | 17.5% |
| Browntown, WI | 266 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Winslow, IL | 332 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Dakota, IL | 741 | 84 | 15.6% |
| Monroe, WI | 10,883 | 91 | 9.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Vidor, TX | 10,882 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Marinette, WI | 10,882 | 85 | 15.4% |
| Gardere, LA | 10,879 | 101 | 1.5% |
| Gunbarrel, CO | 10,888 | 156 | 56.5% |
| Avon Park, FL | 10,877 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Monroe, WI | 10,883 | 91 | 9.1% |