Cost of Living in Platteville, WI

Population 11,421 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

64
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Household incomes in Platteville run well below national norms — a median of $42,667 versus the $74,580 US figure. Housing costs partially offset that gap (typical home values around $187,000). A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Platteville is about 60 miles west of Madison, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 46% lower than Madison's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 61
Rent 67

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

About the Cost of Living in Platteville

The median home value in Platteville is $186,900 — 39% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $885/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $42,667/year is 43% lower 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%. Overall, Platteville has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$186,900
39% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$249,823
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$885/mo
33% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6x
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 37.9%
Renter-occupied 62.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$885
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,499/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
17.1 min
37% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.5%
Carpooled
4.3%
Walked
17.7%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
5.2%

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
$42,667
43% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,540
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
22% below avg
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Labor Force Participation
62.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.7%
Graduate degree 21.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 23.1
Male median age 22.5
Female median age 25.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
54.2%
Good air days/yr
221
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,551
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Platteville, WI?

Platteville has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.

What is average rent in Platteville, WI?

The median gross rent in Platteville is $885 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Platteville?

The median home value in Platteville is $186,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Platteville?

The median household income in Platteville is $42,667 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Platteville, WI?

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

Is Platteville, WI affordable?

Yes, Platteville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.

Platteville at a Glance

Population
11,421
Median Income
$42,667
Home Value
$186,900
Median Rent
$885/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Sales Tax
5.4%
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🗺️ County data for Wisconsin

Explore county-level cost of living data

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