Cost of Living in Merton, WI
Population 3,495 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Merton a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $540,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Geographically, Merton sits roughly 20 miles west of Milwaukee. Median home values run roughly 214% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Merton
The median home value in Merton is $539,900 — 77% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,148/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $168,661/year is 126% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, 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 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Merton has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.
Merton 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 | 31 | 34 | 44 | 55 | 67 | 77 | 82 | 80 | 74 | 61 | 48 | 36 |
| Low °F | 17 | 20 | 29 | 38 | 48 | 58 | 65 | 64 | 56 | 45 | 33 | 23 |
| Precip" | 1.79 | 1.69 | 2.20 | 3.86 | 3.54 | 4.38 | 3.40 | 3.65 | 3.16 | 2.78 | 2.24 | 1.88 |
| Snow" | 14.9 | 11.8 | 6.7 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 10.4 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Merton, WI?
Merton has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.
What is average rent in Merton, WI?
The median gross rent in Merton is $1,148 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Merton?
The median home value in Merton is $539,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Merton?
The median household income in Merton is $168,661 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Merton, WI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Merton is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.
Is Merton, WI affordable?
Merton is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Merton?
Merton has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Merton at a Glance
- Population
- 3,495
- Median Income
- $168,661
- Home Value
- $539,900
- Median Rent
- $1,148/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 57.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.4%
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Wisconsin Rankings
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