A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
29%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Waupun Wisconsin National
Cost of living9196100
Goods & Services9697100
Groceries9999100
Health care114112100
Housing7188100
Transportation10098100
Utilities105102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Waupun, WI

Understanding the cost of living in Waupun can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Waupun cost of living index is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Waupun aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Waupun residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Waupun Affordable?

Is Waupun 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 Waupun, for instance, where the median home price falls 31.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 23.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Waupun flaunting a median household income of $55,621, 0.5% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Waupun?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Waupun, healthcare costs are 14.4% 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 Waupun, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5%, and income tax rates start at 3.54%.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Waupun, is 28.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Waupun displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Waupun is 5% lower than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Waupun is 9% lower than the national average
  • Waupun housing is 29% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 57% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Waupun

See all the best places to live around Waupun

Compare Waupun, WI Cost of Living

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      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$64,620$5,385$1,508$1,939
      Renters$38,299$3,192$894$1,149
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Waupun, 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 Waupun have a median income of $64,620. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,508 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $38,299, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $894.

      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 Waupun National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.50$24.267.3%
      Beauty Salon $28.50$45.5637.4%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.20$1.286.6%
      Movie $8.75$12.1327.9%
      Bowling $12.11$18.0032.7%

      Groceries

      Item Waupun National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.64$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.579.1%
      Milk $4.72$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $4.45$4.939.8%
      Pizza $10.22$12.0915.4%
      Beer $8.71$10.4116.3%

      Health Care

      Item Waupun National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $121.64$125.683.2%
      Doctor $216.44$135.7859.4%
      Dentist $102.10$113.299.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.42$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $499.62$468.606.6%

      Housing

      Item Waupun National avg. Difference
      Home Price $127,300.00$184,700.0031.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,582.08$2,346.6932.6%
      Apartment Rent $730.00$949.0023.1%

      Transportation

      Item Waupun National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.26$3.465.9%
      Tire Balancing $69.15$59.9215.4%

      Utilities

      Item Waupun National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $212.47$193.999.5%
      Phone $185.94$192.253.3%
      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.
      Randolph, WI1,6328812.1%
      Burnett, WI3278911.0%
      Markesan, WI1,3138910.9%
      Fairwater, WI3289010.2%
      Ripon, WI7,802909.5%
      Waupun, WI11,264919.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Haysville, KS11,2608910.8%
      Blackfalds, AB11,272n/a 
      Beachwood, NJ11,27411817.8%
      Lambton Shores, ON11,252n/a 
      Show Low, AZ11,2801043.6%
      Waupun, WI11,264919.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.