| Index | Oshkosh | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 77 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 98 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Oshkosh? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Oshkosh stands at 92, making it 8% lower 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 Oshkosh 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.
Wondering if Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh, for example, the median home price is 24.9% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 18.2% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Oshkosh boasting a median household income of $75,890, which is 6.7% 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: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Oshkosh, the utilities index registers at 2.1% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The Oshkosh 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 | $104,666 | $8,722 | $2,442 | $3,140 |
| Renters | $50,754 | $4,230 | $1,184 | $1,523 |
| 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. |
| Van Dyne, WI | 241 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Ripon, WI | 8,110 | 90 | 9.9% |
| North Fond du Lac, WI | 5,236 | 90 | 9.5% |
| Menasha, WI | 18,920 | 91 | 8.6% |
| Neenah, WI | 27,049 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 69,404 | 92 | 7.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Victoria, TX | 69,412 | 95 | 5.5% |
| Lehi, UT | 69,366 | 128 | 28.1% |
| Rogers, AR | 69,327 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Jackson, TN | 69,498 | 93 | 7.3% |
| Grande Prairie, AB | 69,512 | n/a | |
| Oshkosh, WI | 69,404 | 92 | 7.9% |