What is the cost of living in Portage, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Portage has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Portage has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Portage ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Portage ranks as the #101 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Portage, check out:
Portage Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Portage. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Portage is 100.
The Groceries index in Portage is 100.
The Health index in Portage is 83.
The Housing index in Portage is 97.
The Transportation index in Portage is 101.
The Utilities index in Portage is 101.
| Living Expense | Portage | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 83 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 100 | 100 |
Portage 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 Portage Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Portage, 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 Portage is $288,024.
The Median Rent in Portage is $1,008.
The Median Income in Portage is $64,722.
The Home Value To Income in Portage is 4.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Portage is 0.19x.
Portage, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Portage Services costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Portage Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Portage Health costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Portage Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
Portage SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Portage
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Portage. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Sun Prairie, WI has a cost of living index of 111, 1.2x Portage.
Middleton, WI has a cost of living index of 120, 1.3x Portage.
Waunakee, WI has a cost of living index of 121, 1.3x Portage.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Portage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Prairie, WI | 37,570 | 111 | 1.2x |
| Middleton, WI | 22,301 | 120 | 1.3x |
| Waunakee, WI | 15,687 | 121 | 1.3x |
| Verona, WI | 15,232 | 115 | 1.2x |
| Stoughton, WI | 13,033 | 103 | 1.1x |
| Baraboo, WI | 12,769 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Oregon, WI | 11,547 | 111 | 1.2x |
| DeForest, WI | 11,501 | 107 | 1.1x |
| McFarland, WI | 9,160 | 109 | 1.2x |
| Cottage Grove, WI | 8,513 | 113 | 1.2x |
