Cost of Living in Brown Deer, WI

Population 12,615 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

78
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Brown Deer offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $221,000 — costs less than 2.4 times median household income of $91,567, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago.

Located 8 miles north of Milwaukee, Brown Deer falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 29% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 72
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Brown Deer

The median home value in Brown Deer is $221,100 — 28% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,132/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,567/year is 23% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Brown Deer has a cost of living index of 78 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$221,100
28% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$282,507
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,132/mo
14% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,646/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3x
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 64.8%
Renter-occupied 35.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,132
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,746/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
23.8 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.1%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
18.9%

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
$91,567
23% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,914
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
6% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Labor Force Participation
68.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.0%
Graduate degree 10.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.1
Male median age 36.7
Female median age 43.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.4°F
Avg Low
41.3°F
Annual Precip
34.6"
Annual Snowfall
48.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313444556777828074614836
Low °F 172029384858656456453323
Precip" 1.791.692.203.863.544.383.403.653.162.782.241.88
Snow" 14.911.86.72.10.00.00.00.00.00.32.510.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
250
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
1,552
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brown Deer, WI?

Brown Deer has a cost index of 78 (100 = national average). It is 22% below the national average.

What is average rent in Brown Deer, WI?

The median gross rent in Brown Deer is $1,132 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brown Deer?

The median home value in Brown Deer is $221,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Brown Deer?

The median household income in Brown Deer is $91,567 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brown Deer, WI?

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

Is Brown Deer, WI affordable?

Yes, Brown Deer is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 78 — about 22% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Brown Deer?

Brown Deer has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Brown Deer at a Glance

Population
12,615
Median Income
$91,567
Home Value
$221,100
Median Rent
$1,132/mo
Unemployment
4.5%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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