Cost of Living in McFarland, WI

Population 9,230 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

116
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

McFarland 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.

McFarland sits roughly 9 miles southeast of Madison — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Madison's $347,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 119
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in McFarland

The median home value in McFarland is $363,400 — 19% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,447/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $93,810/year is 26% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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, McFarland has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$363,400
19% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$197,186
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,447/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9x
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 72.0%
Renter-occupied 28.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,447
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,061/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
20.7 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.2%
Carpooled
6.2%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
16.9%

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
$93,810
26% above avg
Per Capita Income
$53,329
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
27% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Labor Force Participation
72.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.1%
Graduate degree 14.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.9
Male median age 41.6
Female median age 38.5

🌤 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 50 — Good
50.4%
Good air days/yr
268
Max AQI recorded
260
PM2.5 days
105
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

75%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
5,076
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in McFarland, WI?

McFarland has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.

What is average rent in McFarland, WI?

The median gross rent in McFarland is $1,447 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in McFarland?

The median home value in McFarland is $363,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in McFarland?

The median household income in McFarland is $93,810 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in McFarland, WI?

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

Is McFarland, WI affordable?

McFarland is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in McFarland?

McFarland 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.

McFarland at a Glance

Population
9,230
Median Income
$93,810
Home Value
$363,400
Median Rent
$1,447/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Avg High Temp
56.5°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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