Cost of Living in Milton, WI

Population 5,685 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

70
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Milton can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $211,000 against $84,648 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.8% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 35 miles southeast of Madison, Milton falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 39% lower than Madison's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Milton

The median home value in Milton is $210,500 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $940/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $84,648/year is 13% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.8%, 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%. Overall, Milton has a cost of living index of 70 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$210,500
31% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$168,300
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$940/mo
28% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7x
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 77.3%
Renter-occupied 22.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$940
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,554/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
28.4 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
88.4%
Carpooled
3.9%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
6.0%

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
$84,648
13% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,261
Unemployment Rate
0.8%
84% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Labor Force Participation
72.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.5%
Graduate degree 8.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.3
Male median age 36.4
Female median age 38.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
63.9%
Good air days/yr
177
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
205
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
3,420
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Milton, WI?

Milton has a cost index of 70 (100 = national average). It is 30% below the national average.

What is average rent in Milton, WI?

The median gross rent in Milton is $940 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Milton?

The median home value in Milton is $210,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Milton?

The median household income in Milton is $84,648 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Milton, WI?

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

Is Milton, WI affordable?

Yes, Milton is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 70 — about 30% below the US national average of 100.

Milton at a Glance

Population
5,685
Median Income
$84,648
Home Value
$210,500
Median Rent
$940/mo
Unemployment
0.8%
Sales Tax
5.4%
View all cities in Wisconsin →
🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

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