Cost of Living in Vernon, WI

Population 7,470 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

116
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Vernon is a smaller Wisconsin community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $121,401 and housing costs ($413,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 20 miles southwest of Milwaukee, Vernon falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 140% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 135
Rent 88

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

About the Cost of Living in Vernon

The median home value in Vernon is $412,600 — 35% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,159/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $121,401/year is 63% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.3%, 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, Vernon has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$412,600
35% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$249,595
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,159/mo
12% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.7x
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 96.5%
Renter-occupied 3.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,159
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,773/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
28.6 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.7%
Carpooled
3.4%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
14.6%

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
$121,401
63% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,962
Unemployment Rate
1.3%
73% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Labor Force Participation
62.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.7%
Graduate degree 8.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 49.7
Male median age 48.6
Female median age 53.1

🌤 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Vernon, WI?

Vernon has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.

What is average rent in Vernon, WI?

The median gross rent in Vernon is $1,159 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Vernon?

The median home value in Vernon is $412,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Vernon?

The median household income in Vernon is $121,401 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Vernon, WI?

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

Is Vernon, WI affordable?

Vernon is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Vernon?

Vernon 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.

Vernon at a Glance

Population
7,470
Median Income
$121,401
Home Value
$412,600
Median Rent
$1,159/mo
Unemployment
1.3%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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