DeForest, WI Cost Of Living

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In DeForest, WI Summary

Cost of living in DeForest research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means DeForest is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Wisconsin, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in DeForest is 112, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in DeForest is 1.1x higher than the national average.

  • DeForest ranks as the #117 cheapest in Wisconsin out of 146.

  • DeForest ranks as the #3,863 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in DeForest is $447,748.

  • The median income in DeForest is $106,223.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
112
DeForest's Overall Cost Of Living
1.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in DeForest, WI?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, DeForest has an overall cost of living index of 112, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Wisconsin, DeForest has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Wisconsin's index of 95.

The standard of living in DeForest ranks as #117 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies DeForest ranks as the #29 most expensive place in the Badger State.

For more reading on life in DeForest, check out:

117 out of 146
In Wisconsin
3,863 out of 6,489
In America

DeForest Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in DeForest. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in DeForest is 107.

  • The Groceries index in DeForest is 103.

  • The Health index in DeForest is 122.

  • The Housing index in DeForest is 122.

  • The Transportation index in DeForest is 102.

  • The Utilities index in DeForest is 109.

Living Expense DeForest Wisconsin National Average
Overall 112 95 100
Services 107 98 100
Groceries 103 100 100
Health 122 111 100
Housing 122 88 100
Transportation 102 100 100
Utilities 109 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
DeForest Cost of Living Vs. WI

DeForest, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in DeForest is $447,748.

  • The Median Rent in DeForest is $1,381.

  • The Median Income in DeForest is $106,223.

  • The Home Value To Income in DeForest is 4.2x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in DeForest is 0.16x.

Statistic DeForest Wisconsin United States
Median Home Value $447,748 $328,216 $303,400
Median Rent $1,381 $1,045 $1,348
Median Income $106,223 $75,670 $78,538
Home Value To Income 4.2x 4.3x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.16x 0.17x 0.21x
$447,748
Median Home Value
$1,381
Median Rent
$106,223
Median Income

DeForest, WI Costs By Category

Detailed DeForest Services Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item DeForest Wisconsin
Shampoo $1.22 $1.28
Movie $12.47 $12.13
Bowling $27.76 $18
Haircut $24.26 $24.26
Beauty Salon $66.46 $45.56

Detailed DeForest Groceries Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item DeForest Wisconsin
Ground Beef $6.27 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.45 $1.57
Milk $4.79 $4.67
Potatoes $4.2 $4.93
Pizza $10.96 $12.09
Beer $8.82 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.76 $3.7

Detailed DeForest Health Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item DeForest Wisconsin
Optometrist $70.37 $125.68
Doctor $222.85 $135.78
Dentist $122.45 $113.29

Detailed DeForest Transportation Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item DeForest Wisconsin
Gasoline $3.39 $3.46
Tire Balancing $65.66 $59.92

Detailed DeForest Utilities Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item DeForest Wisconsin
All Electricity $226.9 $193.99
Phone $185.25 $192.25

Deforest SnackAbility

7
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
9/10
Housing
8
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
7
Safety
N/A
Amenities
8
Education
9
Commute
8

Cost Of Living In Cities Around DeForest

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around DeForest. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Madison, WI has a cost of living index of 117, 1.0x DeForest.

  • Sun Prairie, WI has a cost of living index of 114, 1.0x DeForest.

  • Fitchburg, WI has a cost of living index of 120, 1.1x DeForest.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. DeForest
Madison, WI 275,568 117 1.0x
Sun Prairie, WI 36,455 114 1.0x
Fitchburg, WI 31,566 120 1.1x
Middleton, WI 22,235 125 1.1x
Waunakee, WI 14,927 124 1.1x
Verona, WI 14,499 120 1.1x
McFarland, WI 9,230 117 1.0x
Monona, WI 8,604 118 1.1x
Cottage Grove, WI 7,906 119 1.1x

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