What is the cost of living in Eau Claire, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Eau Claire has an overall cost of living index of 95, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Eau Claire has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Eau Claire ranks as #54 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Eau Claire ranks as the #92 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Eau Claire, check out:
Eau Claire Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Eau Claire. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Eau Claire is 100.
The Groceries index in Eau Claire is 97.
The Health index in Eau Claire is 87.
The Housing index in Eau Claire is 102.
The Transportation index in Eau Claire is 101.
The Utilities index in Eau Claire is 98.
| Living Expense | Eau Claire | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 87 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 100 | 100 |
Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire is $311,026.
The Median Rent in Eau Claire is $1,045.
The Median Income in Eau Claire is $67,395.
The Home Value To Income in Eau Claire is 4.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Eau Claire is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Eau Claire | Wisconsin | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $311,026 | $330,171 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,045 | $1,087 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $67,395 | $77,485 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.6x | 4.3x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
Eau Claire, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Eau Claire Services costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Eau Claire | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.23 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.0 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $15.67 | $18 |
| Haircut | $20.83 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $39.17 | $45.56 |
Detailed Eau Claire Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Eau Claire | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.94 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.61 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.58 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.49 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $12.29 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $8.47 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.67 | $3.7 |
Detailed Eau Claire Health costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Eau Claire | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $125.0 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $179.67 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $107.33 | $113.29 |
Detailed Eau Claire Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Eau Claire | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.36 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $62.89 | $59.92 |
Detailed Eau Claire Utilities costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Eau Claire | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $193.62 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $197.22 | $192.25 |
Eau Claire SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Eau Claire
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Eau Claire. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Menomonie, WI has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Eau Claire.
Chippewa Falls, WI has a cost of living index of 97, 1.0x Eau Claire.
Rice Lake, WI has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Eau Claire.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Eau Claire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menomonie, WI | 16,539 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Chippewa Falls, WI | 14,782 | 97 | 1.0x |
| Rice Lake, WI | 9,030 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Altoona, WI | 8,878 | 99 | 1.0x |
| Lake Hallie, WI | 7,285 | 102 | 1.1x |
