doxoINSIGHTS » Cost of Living in Wisconsin: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

Cost of Living in Wisconsin: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

Wisconsin

What is the cost of living in Wisconsin? doxo breaks down key insights about Wisconsin’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state. 

According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Wisconsin pays $2,034 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.

The data sheds light on Wisconsin’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month. 

By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.

Wisconsin ranks as the 27th most expensive state in the US for household bills

According to doxo’s COBI report, Wisconsin is ranked as the 27th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses. 

At $24,413 per year, Wisconsin’s household expenses, on average, are 4% lower than the US average of $25,513. 

Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Wisconsin households spend 33% of their income on bills. 

COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Wisconsin is 96.

  • Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,034 per month
  • Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 96
  • doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #27
  • Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 33%
  • Compared to the National Average: 4% lower

Wisconsin Household Expenses are 4% Lower Than the National Average

The average Wisconsin household pays $2,034 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills. 

On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Wisconsin is $92, compared to the national average of $85, making it 8% higher than average.

Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Wisconsin residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,371, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 2% less expensive. 

Average Wisconsin Household Bill Spending

Bill CategoryAverage Wisconsin Monthly BillNational Average Monthly BillWisconsin Percent +/- National Average 
Mortgage$1,371$1,4022% lower
Rent$1,015$1,30022% lower
Auto Loan$490$4961% lower
Utilities$362$362The same
Auto Insurance$224$2097% higher
Health Insurance$89$11422% lower
Mobile Phone$119$1212% lower
Cable & Internet$106$12213% lower
Life Insurance$91$875% higher
Alarm & Security$92$858% higher
Total$2,034$2,1264% lower
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Verona has the highest cost of living in Wisconsin for household bills

Residents of Verona pay the highest household bills in the state of Wisconsin, at an average of $2,743 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Verona is 129, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 29% higher than the national average.

In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Verona makeup 25% of the average annual household income of $130,289. 

Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.

10 Most Expensive Wisconsin Cities for Household Bills

RankCityAverage IncomeMonthly Bill Expenses Per HouseholdCost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard% +/- Than the National AveragePercent of Household Income Used for Bills 
1Verona$130,289$2,74312929% higher25%
2Brookfield$117,845$2,71712828% higher28%
3Hudson$109,871$2,71312828% higher30%
4Oregon$104,647$2,62912424% higher30%
5Middleton$96,515$2,60512323% higher32%
6Sun Prairie$96,762$2,59712222% higher32%
7Waunakee$113,129$2,57112121% higher27%
8Mequon$127,648$2,54712020% higher24%
9Franklin$103,225$2,51311818% higher29%
10Deforest$103,440$2,41911414% higher28%
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Antigo has the lowest cost of living in Wisconsin for household bills

Out of 104 cities, Antigo is the most affordable place in Wisconsin, with residents paying $1,510 on average for household bills, accounting for 34% of annual income of $53,976. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Antigo is 71, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 29% below the national average. 

Manitowoc is the second most affordable city in Wisconsin, with residents paying $1,601 per month on average.

Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Wisconsin are Two Rivers ($1,601), Rhinelander ($1,617) and Rice Lake ($1,652).

10 Most Affordable Wisconsin Cities for Household Bills

RankCityAverage IncomeMonthly Bill Expense Per HouseholdCost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard% +/- Than the National AveragePercent of Household Income Used for Bills
95Marinette$61,495$1,7438218% lower34%
96Hayward$57,6381,7248119% lower36%
97Shawano$62,578$1,7008020% lower33%
98Crivitz$57,867$1,6958020% lower35%
99Eagle River$68,850$1,6537822% lower29%
100Rice Lake$57,049$1,6527822% lower35%
101Rhinelander$64,114$1,6177624% lower30%
102Two Rivers$61,346$1,6017525% lower31%
103Manitowoc$62,813$1,6017525% lower31%
104Antigo$53,976$1,5107129% lower34%
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Wisconsin with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.