Cost of Living in Wisconsin (WI)
Compare costs across 10 Wisconsin cities. From home services to salaries, see how WI stacks up against the national average.
10
Cities
89
Avg Cost Index
$50K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Wisconsin's average cost index is 89, which is below the national baseline of 100. Oshkosh is the most affordable tracked city in WI at index 84, while Madison is the most expensive at index 104.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 20 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Wisconsin Highlights: Most affordable city: Oshkosh (index 84). Most expensive: Madison (index 104). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 20 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
89/100
Wisconsin is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Oshkosh
Oshkosh has a cost index of 84.
Most expensive
Madison
Madison has a cost index of 104.
Income average
$50K
Average median household income across 10 tracked WI cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 577K | 91 | $43K | large |
| Madison | 270K | 104 | $68K | mid |
| Green Bay | 107K | 88 | $47K | small |
| Kenosha | 100K | 92 | $52K | small |
| Racine | 78K | 86 | $42K | small |
| Appleton | 76K | 90 | $56K | small |
| Eau Claire | 69K | 86 | $46K | small |
| Oshkosh | 67K | 84 | $47K | small |
| Janesville | 66K | 86 | $53K | small |
| La Crosse | 53K | 84 | $42K | small |
Wisconsin State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Wisconsin.
State Income Tax
3.5-7.65%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
5.43%
5% state + 0.43% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.61%
~$4,830/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax at 3.5-7.65%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Oshkosh if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Wisconsin.
- Compare Madison against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.