C+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
43%
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 Sussex Wisconsin National
Cost of living11195100
Goods & Services9799100
Groceries101100100
Health care101100100
Housing14389100
Transportation10199100
Utilities9391100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Sussex, WI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Sussex is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Sussex is 111, which is 11% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

When it comes to the cost of living in Sussex, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 42.8% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Sussex Affordable?

Is Sussex affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Sussex, the median home price is 59.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 4.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Sussex boasting a median household income of $139,764, 71.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sussex?

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 Sussex, the transportation index is 0.8% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Sussex, healthcare costs are 0.6% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Sussex cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sussex is 17% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Sussex is 11% higher than the national average
  • Sussex housing is 43% higher 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 Sussex

See all the best places to live around Sussex

Compare Sussex, WI Cost of Living

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      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$173,497$14,458$4,048$5,205
      Renters$85,190$7,099$1,988$2,556
      The affordability of the housing market in Sussex, WI as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Sussex homeowners, the median income is $173,497. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $4,048 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $85,190. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,988 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Sussex National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.76$27.627.8%
      Beauty Salon $44.52$51.1112.9%
      Toothpaste $4.15$4.091.4%
      Shampoo $1.37$1.5411.2%
      Movie $14.28$12.8810.9%
      Yoga $19.35$19.661.6%

      Groceries

      Item Sussex National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.87$7.702.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $4.70$4.730.7%
      Potatoes $5.10$5.263.0%
      Pizza $14.03$12.769.9%
      Beer $9.38$10.5511.1%

      Health Care

      Item Sussex National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $80.23$140.0642.7%
      Doctor $188.84$153.8222.8%
      Dentist $118.87$123.153.5%
      Ibuprofen $12.06$11.732.8%
      Lipitor $20.95$23.6111.3%

      Housing

      Item Sussex National avg. Difference
      Home Price $520,234.00$326,622.0059.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,747.52$2,480.2510.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,505.00$1,444.004.2%

      Transportation

      Item Sussex National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.90$3.065.0%
      Tire Balancing $74.93$65.2114.9%

      Utilities

      Item Sussex National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $199.66$220.129.3%
      Phone $189.13$195.713.4%
      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.
      West Milwaukee, WI4,258927.9%
      Neosho, WI660937.0%
      Lannon, WI1,221946.4%
      West Allis, WI61,432946.4%
      Butler, WI2,034964.5%
      Sussex, WI11,20411111.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Malvern, AR11,2038613.7%
      Raymondville, TX11,2037425.8%
      Burlington, WI11,1991000.4%
      Oneida, NY11,198909.8%
      Damascus, OR11,21014444.1%
      Sussex, WI11,20411111.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.