What is the cost of living in Beaver Dam, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Beaver Dam has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Beaver Dam has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Beaver Dam ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Beaver Dam ranks as the #101 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Beaver Dam, check out:
Beaver Dam Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Beaver Dam. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Beaver Dam is 97.
The Groceries index in Beaver Dam is 100.
The Health index in Beaver Dam is 78.
The Housing index in Beaver Dam is 98.
The Transportation index in Beaver Dam is 100.
The Utilities index in Beaver Dam is 102.
| Living Expense | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 78 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 100 | 100 |
Beaver Dam Cost Of Living Compared To Wisconsin Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Beaver Dam Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Beaver Dam, WI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Wisconsin, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Beaver Dam is $288,264.
The Median Rent in Beaver Dam is $959.
The Median Income in Beaver Dam is $66,673.
The Home Value To Income in Beaver Dam is 4.3x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Beaver Dam is 0.17x.
| Statistic | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $288,264 | $330,171 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $959 | $1,087 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $66,673 | $77,485 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.3x | 4.3x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.17x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
Beaver Dam, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Beaver Dam Services costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.2 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $8.75 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $12.11 | $18 |
| Haircut | $22.5 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $28.5 | $45.56 |
Detailed Beaver Dam Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.64 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.43 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.72 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.45 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.22 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $8.71 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.72 | $3.7 |
Detailed Beaver Dam Health costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $121.64 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $216.44 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $102.1 | $113.29 |
Detailed Beaver Dam Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.26 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $69.15 | $59.92 |
Detailed Beaver Dam Utilities costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Beaver Dam | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $212.47 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $185.94 | $192.25 |
Beaver Dam SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Beaver Dam
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Beaver Dam. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost of living index of 110, 1.2x Beaver Dam.
Sun Prairie, WI has a cost of living index of 111, 1.2x Beaver Dam.
Oconomowoc, WI has a cost of living index of 111, 1.2x Beaver Dam.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Beaver Dam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wauwatosa, WI | 48,529 | 110 | 1.2x |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 37,570 | 111 | 1.2x |
| Oconomowoc, WI | 19,080 | 111 | 1.2x |
| Waunakee, WI | 15,687 | 121 | 1.3x |
| Verona, WI | 15,232 | 115 | 1.2x |
| Oregon, WI | 11,547 | 111 | 1.2x |
| DeForest, WI | 11,501 | 107 | 1.1x |
| Waupun, WI | 11,174 | 93 | 1.0x |
| McFarland, WI | 9,160 | 109 | 1.2x |
| Cottage Grove, WI | 8,513 | 113 | 1.2x |
