Cost of Living in Lake Wisconsin, WI

Population 5,051 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

126
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Lake Wisconsin a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $422,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Lake Wisconsin sits roughly 20 miles northwest of Madison. Median home values run roughly 22% higher than Madison's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 138
Rent 106

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake Wisconsin

The median home value in Lake Wisconsin is $421,500 — 38% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,399/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $116,053/year is 56% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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 Wisconsin has a cost of living index of 126 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$421,500
38% above avg
Median Rent
$1,399/mo
6% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.1x
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 92.6%
Renter-occupied 7.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,399
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,013/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
33.7 min
25% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.1%
Carpooled
4.7%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
19.8%

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
$116,053
56% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,539
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
57% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Labor Force Participation
57.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.0%
Graduate degree 16.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 52.5
Male median age 51.9
Female median age 53.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.5°F
Avg Low
37.6°F
Annual Precip
37.1"
Annual Snowfall
51.8"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 273144576979828073604532
Low °F 121525364757626051402918
Precip" 1.471.522.263.784.105.284.514.163.432.772.221.63
Snow" 13.712.87.02.60.10.00.00.00.00.63.012.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
65.5%
Good air days/yr
159
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
203
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lake Wisconsin, WI?

Lake Wisconsin has a cost index of 126 (100 = national average). It is 26% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Wisconsin, WI?

The median gross rent in Lake Wisconsin is $1,399 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Wisconsin?

The median home value in Lake Wisconsin is $421,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake Wisconsin?

The median household income in Lake Wisconsin is $116,053 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Wisconsin, WI?

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

Is Lake Wisconsin, WI affordable?

Lake Wisconsin is above average in cost of living, with an index of 126 — about 26% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lake Wisconsin?

Lake Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin at a Glance

Population
5,051
Median Income
$116,053
Home Value
$421,500
Median Rent
$1,399/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Avg High Temp
56.5°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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