Cost of Living in Lake Mills, WI
Population 6,391 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Lake Mills is a smaller Wisconsin community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $87,039 and housing costs ($282,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 0.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Located 25 miles east of Madison, Lake Mills falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Madison's $347,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Lake Mills
The median home value in Lake Mills is $282,400 — 7% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,095/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,039/year is 17% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.5%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 56.5°F and lows of 37.6°F, with about 51.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Lake Mills has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.
Lake Mills has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 27 | 31 | 44 | 57 | 69 | 79 | 82 | 80 | 73 | 60 | 45 | 32 |
| Low °F | 12 | 15 | 25 | 36 | 47 | 57 | 62 | 60 | 51 | 40 | 29 | 18 |
| Precip" | 1.47 | 1.52 | 2.26 | 3.78 | 4.10 | 5.28 | 4.51 | 4.16 | 3.43 | 2.77 | 2.22 | 1.63 |
| Snow" | 13.7 | 12.8 | 7.0 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 12.0 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lake Mills, WI?
Lake Mills has a cost index of 89 (100 = national average). It is 11% below the national average.
What is average rent in Lake Mills, WI?
The median gross rent in Lake Mills is $1,095 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Lake Mills?
The median home value in Lake Mills is $282,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Lake Mills?
The median household income in Lake Mills is $87,039 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Lake Mills, WI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lake Mills is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.
Is Lake Mills, WI affordable?
Yes, Lake Mills is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 89 — about 11% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Lake Mills?
Lake Mills has average high temperatures of 56.5°F and average lows of 37.6°F. Annual precipitation is 37.1". Average annual snowfall is 51.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Lake Mills at a Glance
- Population
- 6,391
- Median Income
- $87,039
- Home Value
- $282,400
- Median Rent
- $1,095/mo
- Unemployment
- 0.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 56.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.4%
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Wisconsin Rankings
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