Cost of Living in Sussex, WI

Population 11,795 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

113
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sussex 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.

Sussex sits roughly 14 miles west of Milwaukee — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 124% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 126
Rent 94

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

About the Cost of Living in Sussex

The median home value in Sussex is $384,900 — 26% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,231/month, 6% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $112,031/year is 50% 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 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sussex has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$384,900
26% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$268,126
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,231/mo
6% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.1x
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 69.0%
Renter-occupied 31.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,231
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,845/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
24.7 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.3%
Carpooled
4.2%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
17.2%

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
$112,031
50% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,450
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
21% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Labor Force Participation
74.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.7%
Graduate degree 12.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 39.4
Female median age 38.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.4°F
Avg Low
41.3°F
Annual Precip
34.6"
Annual Snowfall
48.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313444556777828074614836
Low °F 172029384858656456453323
Precip" 1.791.692.203.863.544.383.403.653.162.782.241.88
Snow" 14.911.86.72.10.00.00.00.00.00.32.510.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
47.5%
Good air days/yr
270
Max AQI recorded
250
PM2.5 days
110
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

98%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
5,341
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sussex, WI?

Sussex has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sussex, WI?

The median gross rent in Sussex is $1,231 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sussex?

The median home value in Sussex is $384,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sussex?

The median household income in Sussex is $112,031 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sussex, WI?

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

Is Sussex, WI affordable?

Sussex is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Sussex?

Sussex has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sussex at a Glance

Population
11,795
Median Income
$112,031
Home Value
$384,900
Median Rent
$1,231/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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