What is the cost of living in Rhinelander, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Rhinelander has an overall cost of living index of 88, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Rhinelander has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Rhinelander ranks as #10 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Rhinelander ranks as the #136 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Rhinelander, check out:
Rhinelander Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Rhinelander. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Rhinelander is 98.
The Groceries index in Rhinelander is 97.
The Health index in Rhinelander is 59.
The Housing index in Rhinelander is 100.
The Transportation index in Rhinelander is 100.
The Utilities index in Rhinelander is 98.
| Living Expense | Rhinelander | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 88 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 59 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 100 | 100 |
Rhinelander 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 Rhinelander Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Rhinelander, 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 Rhinelander is $254,837.
The Median Rent in Rhinelander is $804.
The Median Income in Rhinelander is $51,421.
The Home Value To Income in Rhinelander is 5.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Rhinelander is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Rhinelander | Wisconsin | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $254,837 | $330,171 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $804 | $1,087 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $51,421 | $77,485 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 5.0x | 4.3x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
Rhinelander, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Rhinelander Services costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Rhinelander | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.18 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $14.28 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $16.88 | $18 |
| Haircut | $28.71 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $44.93 | $45.56 |
Detailed Rhinelander Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Rhinelander | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.41 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.47 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.78 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.45 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $12.91 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $8.7 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.62 | $3.7 |
Detailed Rhinelander Health costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Rhinelander | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $89.62 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $202.67 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $110.3 | $113.29 |
Detailed Rhinelander Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Rhinelander | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.25 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $66.53 | $59.92 |
Detailed Rhinelander Utilities costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Rhinelander | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $214.46 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $184.65 | $192.25 |
Rhinelander SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Rhinelander
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Rhinelander. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Wausau, WI has a cost of living index of 91, 1.0x Rhinelander.
Merrill, WI has a cost of living index of 86, 1.0x Rhinelander.
Antigo, WI has a cost of living index of 81, 0.9x Rhinelander.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Rhinelander |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WI | 39,996 | 91 | 1.0x |
| Merrill, WI | 9,356 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Antigo, WI | 8,069 | 81 | 0.9x |
