Cost of Living in Wisconsin 2026 — Housing, Income & Taxes

📊 Wisconsin at a Glance — 2026

Cost of Living Index

US average = 100 · Slightly Below Average

Median Household Income

$65,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS

Average 1BR Rent

$1,050/mo

Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index

State Income Tax

7.65%

Check official state rates

Average Home Price

$255,000

Source: Zillow Home Value Index

Salary Needed (30% rule)

$42,000

To keep housing under 30% of income

📈 Wisconsin vs the National Average

Cost of Living

Wisconsin runs 6% below the national average (index 94 vs. the U.S. baseline of 100). Wisconsin's affordability holds up well outside Madison and Milwaukee, where most of the state still has ample land for new housing. On the tax side, Wisconsin applies a graduated income tax with moderate rates by Midwest standards.

💡 What Salary Do You Need in Wisconsin?

Using the 50/30/20 budget rule, housing should cost no more than 30% of your gross income. With average rent at $1,050/month in Wisconsin, you need roughly $42,000/year to live comfortably without being housing-cost-burdened.

Find out exactly how much you take home after Wisconsin taxes

💰 Calculate Wisconsin Take-Home Pay → 🏡 See How Much Home You Can Afford →

Is Wisconsin expensive to live in?

Wisconsin's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the U.S. average — that's 6% below the national average. Wisconsin's affordability holds up well outside Madison and Milwaukee, where most of the state still has ample land for new housing. The biggest local industries are manufacturing, dairy and agriculture, and a growing healthcare and insurance sector, centered around Milwaukee and Madison.

What is the average rent in Wisconsin in 2026?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin averages $1,050/month as of 2026 (Zillow Observed Rent Index). That's set against a median household income of $65,000/year, so rent alone runs roughly 19% of the typical household's pre-tax income.

What salary do you need to live in Wisconsin?

Following the standard 30%-of-income guideline for housing, you'd want roughly $42,000/year to cover Wisconsin's average rent comfortably. That's a general rule of thumb, not a hard rule — your real number depends on debt, family size, and where in Wisconsin you're looking. Our free paycheck calculator shows your actual take-home pay after Wisconsin taxes.

Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?

Wisconsin applies a graduated income tax with moderate rates by Midwest standards. The listed rate is 7.65%. Use our free paycheck calculator to see exactly how that affects your specific take-home pay.

🔗 More Free Tools

💰 PayCalc Pro — See your take-home pay after Wisconsin taxes 🏡 HomeBuy Calc — How much home can you afford in Wisconsin? 📊 Compare All 50 States — Cost of Living by State 2026

Cost of Living in Wisconsin 2026 — Full Guide

Wisconsin's cost of living index sits at 94, meaning it runs 6% below the national average. Wisconsin's affordability holds up well outside Madison and Milwaukee, where most of the state still has ample land for new housing.

Wisconsin's Economy

Wisconsin's economy centers on manufacturing, dairy and agriculture, and a growing healthcare and insurance sector, with most of that activity concentrated around Milwaukee and Madison. That local economic base shapes everything from job availability to how quickly housing supply responds to demand — a state built around a few large employers behaves very differently, cost-wise, than one with a diversified metro economy.

Housing Costs in Wisconsin

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin is approximately $1,050 per month in 2026. Average home values sit around $255,000. Wisconsin's affordability holds up well outside Madison and Milwaukee, where most of the state still has ample land for new housing.

Taxes in Wisconsin

Wisconsin applies a graduated income tax with moderate rates by Midwest standards. The current listed rate is 7.65%. Combined with federal taxes, this determines your real take-home pay — use our free paycheck calculator to see the exact impact on your specific salary rather than relying on a statewide average.

Data Sources

Cost of living index data is based on the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) methodology. Income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). Rent data is sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. All figures represent approximations and should be verified with official sources for financial planning.

All data is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.

Cost of Living inWisconsin 2026