Cost of Living in Bristol, WI

Population 5,196 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bristol sits on the smaller end of the Wisconsin city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Located 35 miles south of Milwaukee, Bristol falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 68% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 95
Rent 92

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

About the Cost of Living in Bristol

The median home value in Bristol is $288,800 — 5% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,213/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $109,917/year is 47% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 58.7°F and lows of 39.7°F. Overall, Bristol has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$288,800
5% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$118,381
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,213/mo
8% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8x
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 81.8%
Renter-occupied 18.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,213
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,827/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
29.9 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.0%
Carpooled
3.4%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
4.1%
Work from home
7.6%

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
$109,917
47% above avg
Per Capita Income
$55,876
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
16% above avg
Poverty Rate
1.6%
Labor Force Participation
66.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.8%
Graduate degree 12.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.7
Male median age 40.3
Female median age 51.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
39.7°F
Annual Precip
31.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313545576979848275634937
Low °F 161928374757626153433222
Precip" 1.191.072.033.633.523.693.353.563.362.902.051.53

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
55.1%
Good air days/yr
206
Max AQI recorded
199
PM2.5 days
166
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bristol, WI?

Bristol has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bristol, WI?

The median gross rent in Bristol is $1,213 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bristol?

The median home value in Bristol is $288,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bristol?

The median household income in Bristol is $109,917 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bristol, WI?

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

Is Bristol, WI affordable?

Bristol is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Bristol?

Bristol has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 39.7°F. Annual precipitation is 31.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bristol at a Glance

Population
5,196
Median Income
$109,917
Home Value
$288,800
Median Rent
$1,213/mo
Unemployment
5.6%
Avg High Temp
58.7°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
View all cities in Wisconsin →
🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

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