Cost of Living in Ladysmith, WI

Population 3,152 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

42
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $40,104, median household incomes in Ladysmith land roughly 46% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 105 miles east of St. Paul, Ladysmith is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 68% lower than St. Paul's $280,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 29
Rent 62

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

About the Cost of Living in Ladysmith

The median home value in Ladysmith is $88,800 — 71% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $819/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $40,104/year is 46% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.5%, above 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 52.6°F and lows of 30.4°F. Overall, Ladysmith has a cost of living index of 42 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 58% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$88,800
71% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$317,559
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$819/mo
38% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.0x
Favors buying
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 49.7%
Renter-occupied 50.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$819
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,433/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
18.8 min
30% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.2%
Carpooled
13.1%
Public transit
1.2%
Walked
1.9%
Work from home
4.7%

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
$40,104
46% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,325
Unemployment Rate
7.5%
55% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Labor Force Participation
56.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.1%
Graduate degree 3.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.4
Male median age 44.8
Female median age 49.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
52.6°F
Avg Low
30.4°F
Annual Precip
31.3"
20° 40° 60° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 222740536776807869553927
Low °F 2517294151555345342310
Precip" 0.550.681.552.723.844.034.464.053.673.071.671.04

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
803
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ladysmith, WI?

Ladysmith has a cost index of 42 (100 = national average). It is 58% below the national average.

What is average rent in Ladysmith, WI?

The median gross rent in Ladysmith is $819 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ladysmith?

The median home value in Ladysmith is $88,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ladysmith?

The median household income in Ladysmith is $40,104 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ladysmith, WI?

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

Is Ladysmith, WI affordable?

Yes, Ladysmith is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 42 — about 58% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Ladysmith?

Ladysmith has average high temperatures of 52.6°F and average lows of 30.4°F. Annual precipitation is 31.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ladysmith at a Glance

Population
3,152
Median Income
$40,104
Home Value
$88,800
Median Rent
$819/mo
Unemployment
7.5%
Avg High Temp
52.6°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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