Cost of Living in Elm Grove, WI

Population 6,428 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

146
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Elm Grove 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. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Elm Grove sits roughly 6 miles west of Milwaukee — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 172% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 153
Rent 136

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

About the Cost of Living in Elm Grove

The median home value in Elm Grove is $468,000 — 53% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,788/month, 36% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $133,304/year is 79% 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%. The climate averages highs of 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Elm Grove has a cost of living index of 146 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$468,000
53% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$291,789
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,788/mo
36% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
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 88.4%
Renter-occupied 11.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,788
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,402/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
21.3 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
22.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.0%
Carpooled
3.5%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
22.3%

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
$133,304
79% above avg
Per Capita Income
$70,716
Unemployment Rate
0.3%
94% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor Force Participation
62.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 41.5%
Graduate degree 25.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.6
Male median age 43
Female median age 45.2

🌤 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
47.5%
Good air days/yr
270
Max AQI recorded
250
PM2.5 days
110
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Elm Grove, WI?

Elm Grove has a cost index of 146 (100 = national average). It is 46% above the national average.

What is average rent in Elm Grove, WI?

The median gross rent in Elm Grove is $1,788 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Elm Grove?

The median home value in Elm Grove is $468,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Elm Grove?

The median household income in Elm Grove is $133,304 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Elm Grove, WI?

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

Is Elm Grove, WI affordable?

Elm Grove is above average in cost of living, with an index of 146 — about 46% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Elm Grove?

Elm Grove 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.

Elm Grove at a Glance

Population
6,428
Median Income
$133,304
Home Value
$468,000
Median Rent
$1,788/mo
Unemployment
0.3%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

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