| Index | Onalaska | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 102 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 109 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Onalaska? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Onalaska stands at 102, making it 2% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska is 16.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 7.1% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Onalaska has a median household income of $97,938, which is 20.4% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Onalaska, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates kick off at 3.54%.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Onalaska, the groceries index is 0.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Onalaska, healthcare costs are 0.8% lower than the national average.
The Onalaska 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.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $137,219 | $11,435 | $3,202 | $4,117 |
| Renters | $69,926 | $5,827 | $1,631 | $2,098 |
| 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. |
| Brownsville, MN | 714 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Hokah, MN | 613 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Coon Valley, WI | 961 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Galesville, WI | 1,677 | 93 | 6.5% |
| Rockland, WI | 614 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Onalaska, WI | 19,535 | 102 | 2.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Nanuet, NY | 19,538 | 142 | 41.8% |
| Sherrelwood, CO | 19,531 | 123 | 22.6% |
| Valle Vista, CA | 19,530 | 115 | 15.4% |
| Madisonville, KY | 19,522 | 89 | 11.1% |
| Bellaire, TX | 19,553 | 186 | 86.0% |
| Onalaska, WI | 19,535 | 102 | 2.3% |
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