| Index | Stevens Point | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 82 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.
In Stevens Point, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Stevens Point will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 6 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Stevens Point. The feedback revealed that 50% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 50% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point is 18.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 19% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Stevens Point has a median household income of $69,500, which is 14.5% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Stevens Point, the healthcare costs are 0.8% lower 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.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Stevens Point, the transportation index is 0.2% higher than the national average.
The Stevens Point 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 | $105,232 | $8,769 | $2,455 | $3,157 |
| Renters | $44,737 | $3,728 | $1,044 | $1,342 |
| 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. |
| Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 18,260 | 86 | 13.5% |
| Port Edwards, WI | 1,878 | 86 | 13.5% |
| Rosholt, WI | 496 | 87 | 13.3% |
| Junction City, WI | 429 | 87 | 13.3% |
| Bancroft, WI | 551 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Stevens Point, WI | 26,862 | 93 | 6.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Plainview, NY | 26,865 | 165 | 64.6% |
| Barberton, OH | 26,844 | 83 | 16.7% |
| Chanhassen, MN | 26,836 | 130 | 29.7% |
| Cloverleaf, TX | 26,890 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Superior, WI | 26,920 | 92 | 7.8% |
| Stevens Point, WI | 26,862 | 93 | 6.7% |