Cost of Living in Prescott, WI

Population 4,376 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

95
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Prescott a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $282,000. An unemployment rate of 2.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Prescott sits roughly 20 miles southeast of St. Paul. Housing prices track closely with St. Paul's $280,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 98

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

About the Cost of Living in Prescott

The median home value in Prescott is $282,100 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,284/month, 2% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,730/year is 11% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, 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, Prescott has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$282,100
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$201,095
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,284/mo
2% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.3x
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 71.2%
Renter-occupied 28.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,284
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,898/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
25.7 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.5%
Carpooled
7.6%
Walked
5.1%
Work from home
15.7%

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
$82,730
11% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,196
Unemployment Rate
2.0%
58% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Labor Force Participation
68.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.4%
Graduate degree 10.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 38.8
Female median age 38.9

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,303
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Prescott, WI?

Prescott has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.

What is average rent in Prescott, WI?

The median gross rent in Prescott is $1,284 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Prescott?

The median home value in Prescott is $282,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Prescott?

The median household income in Prescott is $82,730 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Prescott, WI?

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

Is Prescott, WI affordable?

Prescott is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).

Prescott at a Glance

Population
4,376
Median Income
$82,730
Home Value
$282,100
Median Rent
$1,284/mo
Unemployment
2.0%
Sales Tax
5.4%
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