| Index | Port Washington | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 103 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 113 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 98 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Port Washington allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Port Washington stands at 103, marking it 3% higher than the national average.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Port Washington are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Port Washington can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Is Port Washington affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Port Washington, for instance, where the median home price falls 19.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 4.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Port Washington flaunting a median household income of $106,750, 31.3% higher than the national norm.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Port Washington, the housing index stands at 12.6% higher than the national average.
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 Port Washington, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5%, and income tax rates start at 3.54%.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Port Washington, the transportation index is 2.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Port Washington are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| 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 | $130,637 | $10,886 | $3,048 | $3,920 |
| Renters | $63,300 | $5,275 | $1,477 | $1,899 |
| 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. |
| Random Lake, WI | 1,606 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Cedar Grove, WI | 2,318 | 97 | 3.4% |
| Brown Deer, WI | 12,298 | 98 | 2.4% |
| Belgium, WI | 2,276 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Saukville, WI | 4,566 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Port Washington, WI | 12,294 | 103 | 3.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pennsville, NJ | 12,293 | 97 | 2.6% |
| Port Lavaca, TX | 12,295 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Brown Deer, WI | 12,298 | 98 | 2.4% |
| Healdsburg, CA | 12,288 | 191 | 90.8% |
| Gold Canyon, AZ | 12,284 | 116 | 15.9% |
| Port Washington, WI | 12,294 | 103 | 3.2% |
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