Rice Lake 69 Good
Rice Lake Livability #340 ranked city in Wisconsin#8,845 ranked city in the USARanks better than 69% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Rice Lake

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

What's it like Living in Rice Lake?

Rice Lake, Wisconsin is a smaller city with a population of 8,642 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (95% White). Given that fact, Rice Lake could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Rice Lake will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 13 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Rice Lake is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Wisconsin, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Rice Lake and in the areas around Rice Lake is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 66/100, Rice Lake is ranked #11,044 in the United States and #419 in Wisconsin. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Rice Lake ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Rice Lake does not rank well for the following: amenities (D-), crime (D) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Rice Lake apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Rice Lake is real estate affordability. The median home price for Rice Lake homes is $252,146, which is 16.3% lower than the Wisconsin average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Rice Lake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 16.2% higher than the Wisconsin average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Rice Lake

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Rice Lake?

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      Rice Lake transportation information

      Statistic Rice Lake Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute13min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.5%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.9%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home5.6%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Rice Lake, WI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.