Cost of Living in Ripon, WI
Population 7,803 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Ripon is a smaller Wisconsin community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $59,063 and housing costs ($162,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.2% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Ripon is about 60 miles northeast 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 53% lower than Madison's $347,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ripon
The median home value in Ripon is $161,500 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $708/month, 46% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,063/year is 21% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, 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 55.3°F and lows of 37.3°F. Overall, Ripon has a cost of living index of 53 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 47% less expensive.
Ripon 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 | 26 | 30 | 42 | 55 | 67 | 77 | 81 | 79 | 72 | 59 | 44 | 32 |
| Low °F | 11 | 14 | 24 | 36 | 47 | 57 | 61 | 60 | 51 | 40 | 29 | 18 |
| Precip" | 1.11 | 0.83 | 1.74 | 2.89 | 3.60 | 4.65 | 3.69 | 3.20 | 3.00 | 2.76 | 1.82 | 1.27 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Ripon, WI?
Ripon has a cost index of 53 (100 = national average). It is 47% below the national average.
What is average rent in Ripon, WI?
The median gross rent in Ripon is $708 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ripon?
The median home value in Ripon is $161,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Ripon?
The median household income in Ripon is $59,063 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ripon, WI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ripon is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.
Is Ripon, WI affordable?
Yes, Ripon is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 53 — about 47% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Ripon?
Ripon has average high temperatures of 55.3°F and average lows of 37.3°F. Annual precipitation is 30.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Ripon at a Glance
- Population
- 7,803
- Median Income
- $59,063
- Home Value
- $161,500
- Median Rent
- $708/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 55.3°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Wisconsin Rankings
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