Cost of Living in Sauk City, WI

Population 3,500 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

87
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sauk City is a smaller Wisconsin community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $82,813 and housing costs ($270,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Sauk City sits roughly 20 miles northwest of Madison. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Madison's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 88
Rent 84

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

About the Cost of Living in Sauk City

The median home value in Sauk City is $269,500 — 12% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,105/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,813/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%. The climate averages highs of 56.5°F and lows of 37.6°F, with about 51.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sauk City has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$269,500
12% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$383,601
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,105/mo
16% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3x
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 74.2%
Renter-occupied 25.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,105
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,719/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
22.8 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.3%
Carpooled
5.0%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
2.9%
Bicycle
2.7%
Work from home
11.2%

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
$82,813
11% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,900
Unemployment Rate
2.0%
59% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Labor Force Participation
69.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.8%
Graduate degree 7.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.5
Male median age 37.7
Female median age 44.8

🌤 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 44 — Good
60.2%
Good air days/yr
271
Max AQI recorded
237
PM2.5 days
124
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sauk City, WI?

Sauk City has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sauk City, WI?

The median gross rent in Sauk City is $1,105 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sauk City?

The median home value in Sauk City is $269,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sauk City?

The median household income in Sauk City is $82,813 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sauk City, WI?

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

Is Sauk City, WI affordable?

Yes, Sauk City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Sauk City?

Sauk City 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.

Sauk City at a Glance

Population
3,500
Median Income
$82,813
Home Value
$269,500
Median Rent
$1,105/mo
Unemployment
2.0%
Avg High Temp
56.5°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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