Cost of Living in Monona, WI

Population 8,604 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

114
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Monona 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.

Geographically, Monona sits roughly 5 miles east of Madison. Median home values run roughly 13% higher than Madison's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 128
Rent 92

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

About the Cost of Living in Monona

The median home value in Monona is $390,400 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,207/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,784/year is 18% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 56.5°F and lows of 37.6°F, with about 51.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Monona has a cost of living index of 114 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$390,400
28% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$457,138
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
8% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.0x
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 53.6%
Renter-occupied 46.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,207
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,821/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
20.6 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.5%
Carpooled
7.4%
Public transit
2.0%
Walked
0.8%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
20.4%

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
$87,784
18% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,757
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
22% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Labor Force Participation
68.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 36.3%
Graduate degree 21.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.7
Male median age 44.4
Female median age 45.6

🌤 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

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
3,515
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Monona, WI?

Monona has a cost index of 114 (100 = national average). It is 14% above the national average.

What is average rent in Monona, WI?

The median gross rent in Monona is $1,207 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Monona?

The median home value in Monona is $390,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Monona?

The median household income in Monona is $87,784 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Monona, WI?

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

Is Monona, WI affordable?

Monona is above average in cost of living, with an index of 114 — about 14% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Monona?

Monona 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.

Monona at a Glance

Population
8,604
Median Income
$87,784
Home Value
$390,400
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Avg High Temp
56.5°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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