| Index | Wisconsin Rapids | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 86 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 59 | 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 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Wisconsin Rapids? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Wisconsin Rapids stands at 86, making it 14% 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.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Wisconsin Rapids stands out by reporting housing costs that are 41.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Wisconsin Rapids can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Wisconsin Rapids and this is how they responded. 33% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 67% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids, for instance, where the median home price falls 49.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 21.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Wisconsin Rapids flaunting a median household income of $67,688, 16.8% lower than the national norm.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Wisconsin Rapids, the housing index comes in at 41.1% lower than the national average.
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 Wisconsin Rapids, healthcare costs are 0.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Wisconsin Rapids, the transportation index is 0.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Wisconsin Rapids shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $80,245 | $6,687 | $1,872 | $2,408 |
| Renters | $53,511 | $4,459 | $1,249 | $1,605 |
| 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. |
| Babcock, WI | 73 | 82 | 17.6% |
| Arpin, WI | 331 | 84 | 16.3% |
| Vesper, WI | 532 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Nekoosa, WI | 2,584 | 86 | 14.0% |
| Port Edwards, WI | 1,878 | 86 | 13.5% |
| Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 18,260 | 86 | 13.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Alton, TX | 18,261 | 86 | 14.5% |
| Santa Fe Springs, CA | 18,267 | 151 | 50.8% |
| Maitland, FL | 18,243 | 134 | 33.7% |
| Natchitoches, LA | 18,243 | 94 | 6.3% |
| North Babylon, NY | 18,242 | 138 | 38.4% |
| Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 18,260 | 86 | 13.5% |
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