Cost of Living in Tomah, WI

Population 9,505 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

60
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 Tomah a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $163,000.

Tomah lies roughly 80 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Madison — 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

Housing 53
Rent 71

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

About the Cost of Living in Tomah

The median home value in Tomah is $162,900 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $927/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,185/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, 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 55.0°F and lows of 35.5°F. Overall, Tomah has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$162,900
47% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$249,270
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$927/mo
29% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,017/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6x
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 54.1%
Renter-occupied 45.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$927
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,541/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
17.7 min
34% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.9%
Carpooled
3.9%
Walked
3.5%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
3.8%

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
$51,185
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,073
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
24% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Labor Force Participation
60.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.3%
Graduate degree 6.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.2
Male median age 41
Female median age 41.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.0°F
Avg Low
35.5°F
Annual Precip
34.5"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 253042566977817971584330
Low °F 81123354757605849382615
Precip" 1.301.312.063.414.024.433.914.463.392.671.851.65

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
69%
Good air days/yr
173
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
12
Public schools
3,136
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tomah, WI?

Tomah has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.

What is average rent in Tomah, WI?

The median gross rent in Tomah is $927 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tomah?

The median home value in Tomah is $162,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tomah?

The median household income in Tomah is $51,185 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tomah, WI?

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

Is Tomah, WI affordable?

Yes, Tomah is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Tomah?

Tomah has average high temperatures of 55.0°F and average lows of 35.5°F. Annual precipitation is 34.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Tomah at a Glance

Population
9,505
Median Income
$51,185
Home Value
$162,900
Median Rent
$927/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Avg High Temp
55.0°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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