A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
28%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Superior Wisconsin National
Cost of living9295100
Goods & Services10499100
Groceries96100100
Health care115100100
Housing7289100
Transportation9399100
Utilities9491100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Superior, WI

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Superior? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Superior 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.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Superior are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Superior can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Superior?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Superior. The feedback revealed that 20% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 80% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Superior Affordable?

Wondering if Superior 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 Superior, for example, the median home price is 31.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 19% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Superior boasting a median household income of $73,420, which is 9.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Superior?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Superior, healthcare costs are 15.4% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Superior, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5%, and the income tax rates commence at 3.54%.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Superior cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Superior is 4% lower than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Superior is 8% lower than the national average
  • Superior housing is 28% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Superior

See all the best places to live around Superior

Compare Superior, WI Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Superior?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Superior?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Superior poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$108,222$9,019$2,525$3,247
      Renters$44,883$3,740$1,047$1,347
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Superior, WI, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Superior have a median income of $108,222. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,525 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $44,883, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,047.

      Wisconsin Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Wisconsin 5% 6.75%

      Wisconsin Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Wisconsin 3.54% 7.65%

      Goods & Services

      Item Superior National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.00$27.628.6%
      Beauty Salon $47.50$51.117.1%
      Toothpaste $4.07$4.090.6%
      Shampoo $1.55$1.540.5%
      Movie $13.55$12.885.2%
      Yoga $26.00$19.6632.2%

      Groceries

      Item Superior National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.45$7.703.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.49$1.6610.4%
      Milk $4.70$4.730.7%
      Potatoes $5.05$5.263.9%
      Pizza $14.39$12.7612.8%
      Beer $9.29$10.5511.9%

      Health Care

      Item Superior National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $185.08$140.0632.1%
      Doctor $270.03$153.8275.6%
      Dentist $120.06$123.152.5%
      Ibuprofen $11.37$11.733.1%
      Lipitor $17.56$23.6125.6%

      Housing

      Item Superior National avg. Difference
      Home Price $224,230.00$326,622.0031.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,040.19$2,480.2517.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,169.00$1,444.0019.0%

      Transportation

      Item Superior National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.83$3.067.4%
      Tire Balancing $61.34$65.215.9%

      Utilities

      Item Superior National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.71$220.128.8%
      Phone $192.45$195.711.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Proctor, MN3,119946.0%
      Carlton, MN1,039955.4%
      Oliver, WI288955.4%
      Duluth, MN87,821982.4%
      Wrenshall, MN476982.1%
      Superior, WI26,920928.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC26,923n/a 
      Belmont, MA26,925208107.8%
      Galt, CA26,92613837.7%
      Fremont, NE26,9398911.0%
      Cloverleaf, TX26,890919.0%
      Superior, WI26,920928.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.