Cost of Living in Howard, WI

Population 20,261 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

88
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Howard 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 1.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Howard sits roughly 5 miles northwest of Green Bay — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 49% higher than Green Bay's $192,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 80

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

About the Cost of Living in Howard

The median home value in Howard is $286,200 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,053/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $84,896/year is 14% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, 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 54.7°F and lows of 36.7°F, with about 55.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Howard has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$286,200
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$381,537
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,053/mo
20% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,225/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6x
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 64.2%
Renter-occupied 35.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,053
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,667/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
21.4 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.3%
Carpooled
8.1%
Walked
0.0%
Work from home
11.1%

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
$84,896
14% above avg
Per Capita Income
$47,102
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
61% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor Force Participation
70.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.9%
Graduate degree 9.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.9
Male median age 42.1
Female median age 41.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
54.7°F
Avg Low
36.7°F
Annual Precip
31.6"
Annual Snowfall
55.6"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 262940546777817972584431
Low °F 111324354656605850402918
Precip" 1.391.201.963.003.354.103.623.393.202.671.981.75
Snow" 14.312.08.14.70.00.00.00.00.00.33.113.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
59.2%
Good air days/yr
179
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
107
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Howard, WI?

Howard has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.

What is average rent in Howard, WI?

The median gross rent in Howard is $1,053 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Howard?

The median home value in Howard is $286,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Howard?

The median household income in Howard is $84,896 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Howard, WI?

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

Is Howard, WI affordable?

Yes, Howard is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Howard?

Howard has average high temperatures of 54.7°F and average lows of 36.7°F. Annual precipitation is 31.6". Average annual snowfall is 55.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Howard at a Glance

Population
20,261
Median Income
$84,896
Home Value
$286,200
Median Rent
$1,053/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg High Temp
54.7°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

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