Cost of Living in Baldwin, WI

Population 4,313 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

86
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Baldwin a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $252,000. An unemployment rate of 0.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 35 miles east of St. Paul, Baldwin falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than St. Paul's $280,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 83
Rent 92

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Baldwin

The median home value in Baldwin is $252,000 — 17% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,212/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,675/year is 3% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. Overall, Baldwin has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$252,000
17% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$120,656
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,212/mo
8% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 71.7%
Renter-occupied 28.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,212
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,826/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.9 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.9%
Carpooled
16.0%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
14.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$76,675
3% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,452
Unemployment Rate
0.3%
94% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
74.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.1%
Graduate degree 14.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.2
Male median age 35.4
Female median age 33.8

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,714
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Baldwin, WI?

Baldwin has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Baldwin, WI?

The median gross rent in Baldwin is $1,212 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Baldwin?

The median home value in Baldwin is $252,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Baldwin?

The median household income in Baldwin is $76,675 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Baldwin, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Baldwin is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Baldwin, WI affordable?

Yes, Baldwin is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.

Baldwin at a Glance

Population
4,313
Median Income
$76,675
Home Value
$252,000
Median Rent
$1,212/mo
Unemployment
0.3%
Sales Tax
5.4%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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