Cost of Living in Hudson, WI

Population 15,004 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

112
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Hudson 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 1.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Hudson sits roughly 20 miles east of St. Paul. Median home values run roughly 27% higher than St. Paul's $280,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 116
Rent 105

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

About the Cost of Living in Hudson

The median home value in Hudson is $355,000 — 16% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,377/month, 5% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,036/year is 30% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.5%, 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%. Overall, Hudson has a cost of living index of 112 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$355,000
16% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$485,616
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,377/mo
5% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,917/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.5x
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 66.0%
Renter-occupied 34.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,377
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,991/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
25.0 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.9%
Carpooled
6.0%
Walked
1.9%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
15.2%

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
$97,036
30% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,711
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
69% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor Force Participation
69.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.3%
Graduate degree 12.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6
Male median age 36.1
Female median age 39.8

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
5,609
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hudson, WI?

Hudson has a cost index of 112 (100 = national average). It is 12% above the national average.

What is average rent in Hudson, WI?

The median gross rent in Hudson is $1,377 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hudson?

The median home value in Hudson is $355,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hudson?

The median household income in Hudson is $97,036 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hudson, WI?

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

Is Hudson, WI affordable?

Hudson is above average in cost of living, with an index of 112 — about 12% higher than the national average.

Hudson at a Glance

Population
15,004
Median Income
$97,036
Home Value
$355,000
Median Rent
$1,377/mo
Unemployment
1.5%
Sales Tax
5.4%
View all cities in Wisconsin →
🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs