C+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
46%
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 New Berlin Wisconsin National
Cost of living11295100
Goods & Services9799100
Groceries101100100
Health care101100100
Housing14689100
Transportation10199100
Utilities9391100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in New Berlin, WI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in New Berlin 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 New Berlin is 112, which is 12% higher 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.

When it comes to the cost of living in New Berlin, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 46.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is New Berlin Affordable?

Wondering if New Berlin 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 New Berlin, for example, the median home price is 51.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 34.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with New Berlin boasting a median household income of $129,824, which is 59.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in New Berlin?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In New Berlin, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5%, and income tax rates start at 3.54%.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In New Berlin, the transportation index is 0.8% higher than the national average.

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.

Where is the Data From?

The New Berlin 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 New Berlin is 18% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in New Berlin is 12% higher than the national average
  • New Berlin housing is 46% higher 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 New Berlin

See all the best places to live around New Berlin

Compare New Berlin, WI Cost of Living

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      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$144,062$12,005$3,361$4,322
      Renters$81,843$6,820$1,910$2,456
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in New Berlin, WI, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In New Berlin, homeowners have a median income of $144,062. Using that number, a maximum of $3,361 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $81,843, which means there is a maximum of $1,910 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 New Berlin National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.76$27.627.8%
      Beauty Salon $44.52$51.1112.9%
      Toothpaste $4.15$4.091.4%
      Shampoo $1.37$1.5411.2%
      Movie $14.28$12.8810.9%
      Yoga $19.35$19.661.6%

      Groceries

      Item New Berlin National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.87$7.702.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $4.70$4.730.7%
      Potatoes $5.10$5.263.0%
      Pizza $14.03$12.769.9%
      Beer $9.38$10.5511.1%

      Health Care

      Item New Berlin National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $80.23$140.0642.7%
      Doctor $188.84$153.8222.8%
      Dentist $118.87$123.153.5%
      Ibuprofen $12.06$11.732.8%
      Lipitor $20.95$23.6111.3%

      Housing

      Item New Berlin National avg. Difference
      Home Price $493,601.00$326,622.0051.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,747.52$2,480.2510.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,943.00$1,444.0034.6%

      Transportation

      Item New Berlin National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.90$3.065.0%
      Tire Balancing $74.93$65.2114.9%

      Utilities

      Item New Berlin National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $199.66$220.129.3%
      Phone $189.13$195.713.4%
      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.
      Milwaukee, WI605,531918.7%
      West Milwaukee, WI4,258927.9%
      Lannon, WI1,221946.4%
      St. Francis, WI9,923946.4%
      West Allis, WI61,432946.4%
      New Berlin, WI40,72411212.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Crystal Lake, IL40,7241066.0%
      Essex, MD40,7241077.4%
      Germantown, TN40,72511514.9%
      Sumter, SC40,739928.3%
      Plant City, FL40,7061000.4%
      New Berlin, WI40,72411212.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.