Cost of Living in Elkhorn, WI

Population 10,259 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

81
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Elkhorn is a smaller Wisconsin community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $73,052 and housing costs ($255,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Elkhorn is about 40 miles northeast of Rockford, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 111% higher than Rockford's $121,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 84
Rent 76

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

About the Cost of Living in Elkhorn

The median home value in Elkhorn is $255,300 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $999/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,052/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.0%, 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, Elkhorn has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$255,300
16% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$430,196
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$999/mo
24% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.3x
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 56.1%
Renter-occupied 43.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$999
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,613/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
24.4 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.5%
Carpooled
14.4%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
7.5%

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
$73,052
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,900
Unemployment Rate
1.0%
79% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor Force Participation
69.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.5%
Graduate degree 6.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 36.6
Female median age 39.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
68%
Good air days/yr
143
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
203
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
3,567
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Elkhorn, WI?

Elkhorn has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Elkhorn, WI?

The median gross rent in Elkhorn is $999 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Elkhorn?

The median home value in Elkhorn is $255,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Elkhorn?

The median household income in Elkhorn is $73,052 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Elkhorn, WI?

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

Is Elkhorn, WI affordable?

Yes, Elkhorn is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

Elkhorn at a Glance

Population
10,259
Median Income
$73,052
Home Value
$255,300
Median Rent
$999/mo
Unemployment
1.0%
Sales Tax
5.4%
View all cities in Wisconsin →
🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

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