Wisconsin Cost of Living 2026
The cost of living in Wisconsin (WI) has an overall index of 93.8 (100 = national average), making it moderately more affordable than the national average. Use the calculator below to compare Wisconsin to any other state and see how far your dollar goes.
Compare Locations
Your current annual gross salary
Your current monthly rent or mortgage payment
Select two states and enter your salary to compare costs
Wisconsin Cost of Living Breakdown
Here is how Wisconsin compares to the national average across major spending categories. An index above 100 means the category is more expensive than average, while below 100 means it is more affordable.
| Category | Wisconsin | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 93.8 | 100.0 | -6.2 |
| Housing | 82.4 | 100.0 | -17.6 |
| Groceries | 97.8 | 100.0 | -2.2 |
| Transportation | 97.4 | 100.0 | -2.6 |
| Healthcare | 100.6 | 100.0 | +0.6 |
| Utilities | 99.2 | 100.0 | -0.8 |
Key Takeaways for Wisconsin
- Housing (82.4): Housing costs are well below the national average, making Wisconsin one of the more affordable states for housing.
- Groceries (97.8): Grocery prices are close to the national average with minimal impact on your budget.
- Transportation (97.4): Transportation costs are near the national average.
- Healthcare (100.6): Healthcare costs are near the national average.
- Utilities (99.2): Utility costs are near the national average.
Biggest Factor in Wisconsin
The most expensive category in Wisconsin relative to national averages is Healthcare at an index of 100.6, while the most affordable is Housing at 82.4.
Cost of Living by City in Wisconsin
Explore city-level cost of living data for Wisconsin.
Cost of Living by ZIP Code in Wisconsin
Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products featured on this page are from our partners who may compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where they appear on the page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
Financial Tools for Your Move
Top Cash Back Card
2% unlimited cash backEarn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee.
Apply NowSubject to credit approval.
Premium Travel Rewards
60,000 bonus pointsEarn 3x points on travel and dining. $95 annual fee.
Learn More