Cost of Living in Cross Plains, WI

Population 4,059 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

110
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 Cross Plains a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $347,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 11 miles west of Madison, Cross Plains falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Madison's $347,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 114
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Cross Plains

The median home value in Cross Plains is $347,400 — 14% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,371/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $103,389/year is 39% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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 56.5°F and lows of 37.6°F, with about 51.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Cross Plains has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$347,400
14% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$192,615
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,371/mo
4% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1x
Favors renting
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 69.0%
Renter-occupied 31.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,371
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,985/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
24.1 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.7%
Carpooled
5.8%
Walked
3.3%
Work from home
16.3%

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
$103,389
39% above avg
Per Capita Income
$45,552
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
85% below avg
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Labor Force Participation
77.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.8%
Graduate degree 15.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 36.7
Female median age 39.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.5°F
Avg Low
37.6°F
Annual Precip
37.1"
Annual Snowfall
51.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 273144576979828073604532
Low °F 121525364757626051402918
Precip" 1.471.522.263.784.105.284.514.163.432.772.221.63
Snow" 13.712.87.02.60.10.00.00.00.00.63.012.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 50 — Good
50.4%
Good air days/yr
268
Max AQI recorded
260
PM2.5 days
105
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cross Plains, WI?

Cross Plains has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Cross Plains, WI?

The median gross rent in Cross Plains is $1,371 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cross Plains?

The median home value in Cross Plains is $347,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cross Plains?

The median household income in Cross Plains is $103,389 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cross Plains, WI?

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

Is Cross Plains, WI affordable?

Cross Plains is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Cross Plains?

Cross Plains has average high temperatures of 56.5°F and average lows of 37.6°F. Annual precipitation is 37.1". Average annual snowfall is 51.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cross Plains at a Glance

Population
4,059
Median Income
$103,389
Home Value
$347,400
Median Rent
$1,371/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Avg High Temp
56.5°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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