River Falls, WI Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In River Falls, WI Summary

Cost of living in River Falls 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 River Falls 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 River Falls is 102, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in River Falls is 1.0x higher than the national average.

  • River Falls ranks as the #87 cheapest in Wisconsin out of 146.

  • River Falls ranks as the #2,846 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in River Falls is $405,192.

  • The median income in River Falls is $78,078.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
102
River Falls's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in River Falls, WI?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, River Falls has an overall cost of living index of 102, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Wisconsin, River Falls has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Wisconsin's index of 95.

The standard of living in River Falls ranks as #87 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies River Falls ranks as the #59 most expensive place in the Badger State.

For more reading on life in River Falls, check out:

87 out of 146
In Wisconsin
2,846 out of 6,489
In America

River Falls Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin

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

  • The Services index in River Falls is 95.

  • The Groceries index in River Falls is 100.

  • The Health index in River Falls is 102.

  • The Housing index in River Falls is 115.

  • The Transportation index in River Falls is 99.

  • The Utilities index in River Falls is 95.

Living Expense River Falls Wisconsin National Average
Overall 102 95 100
Services 95 98 100
Groceries 100 100 100
Health 102 111 100
Housing 115 88 100
Transportation 99 100 100
Utilities 95 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
River Falls Cost of Living Vs. WI

River Falls, 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 River Falls is $405,192.

  • The Median Rent in River Falls is $1,050.

  • The Median Income in River Falls is $78,078.

  • The Home Value To Income in River Falls is 5.2x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in River Falls is 0.16x.

Statistic River Falls Wisconsin United States
Median Home Value $405,192 $328,216 $303,400
Median Rent $1,050 $1,045 $1,348
Median Income $78,078 $75,670 $78,538
Home Value To Income 5.2x 4.3x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.16x 0.17x 0.21x
$405,192
Median Home Value
$1,050
Median Rent
$78,078
Median Income

River Falls, WI Costs By Category

Detailed River Falls Services Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item River Falls Wisconsin
Shampoo $1.3 $1.28
Movie $13.47 $12.13
Bowling $21.5 $18
Haircut $28.67 $24.26
Beauty Salon $34.55 $45.56

Detailed River Falls Groceries Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item River Falls Wisconsin
Ground Beef $5.49 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.35 $1.57
Milk $4.63 $4.67
Potatoes $4.98 $4.93
Pizza $12.49 $12.09
Beer $9.36 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.75 $3.7

Detailed River Falls Health Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item River Falls Wisconsin
Optometrist $145.44 $125.68
Doctor $229.08 $135.78
Dentist $108.67 $113.29

Detailed River Falls Transportation Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item River Falls Wisconsin
Gasoline $3.38 $3.46
Tire Balancing $61.74 $59.92

Detailed River Falls Utilities Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item River Falls Wisconsin
All Electricity $175.38 $193.99
Phone $187.39 $192.25

River Falls SnackAbility

8.5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
8
Affordability
7
Diversity
5
Safety
8
Amenities
8.5
Education
8.5
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around River Falls

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

  • Woodbury, MN has a cost of living index of 122, 1.2x River Falls.

  • Cottage Grove, MN has a cost of living index of 110, 1.1x River Falls.

  • Oakdale, MN has a cost of living index of 103, 1.0x River Falls.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. River Falls
Woodbury, MN 76,945 122 1.2x
Cottage Grove, MN 40,124 110 1.1x
Oakdale, MN 28,109 103 1.0x
Hastings, MN 22,050 103 1.0x
Stillwater, MN 19,323 113 1.1x
Red Wing, MN 16,660 97 1.0x
Hudson, WI 15,004 109 1.1x
Lake Elmo, MN 12,504 128 1.3x
New Richmond, WI 10,334 98 1.0x
St. Paul Park, MN 5,464 98 1.0x

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