Waunakee, WI Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Waunakee, WI Summary

Cost of living in Waunakee 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 Waunakee 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 Waunakee is 124, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Waunakee is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • Waunakee ranks as the #141 cheapest in Wisconsin out of 146.

  • Waunakee ranks as the #4,654 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Waunakee is $566,541.

  • The median income in Waunakee is $128,750.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
124
Waunakee's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Waunakee, WI?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Waunakee has an overall cost of living index of 124, which is 1.2x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Wisconsin, Waunakee has a cost of living index that's 1.3x higher than Wisconsin's index of 95.

The standard of living in Waunakee ranks as #141 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Waunakee ranks as the #5 most expensive place in the Badger State.

For more reading on life in Waunakee, check out:

141 out of 146
In Wisconsin
4,654 out of 6,489
In America

Waunakee Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin

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

  • The Services index in Waunakee is 104.

  • The Groceries index in Waunakee is 102.

  • The Health index in Waunakee is 121.

  • The Housing index in Waunakee is 166.

  • The Transportation index in Waunakee is 100.

  • The Utilities index in Waunakee is 111.

Living Expense Waunakee Wisconsin National Average
Overall 124 95 100
Services 104 98 100
Groceries 102 100 100
Health 121 111 100
Housing 166 88 100
Transportation 100 100 100
Utilities 111 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
Waunakee Cost of Living Vs. WI

Waunakee, 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 Waunakee is $566,541.

  • The Median Rent in Waunakee is $1,236.

  • The Median Income in Waunakee is $128,750.

  • The Home Value To Income in Waunakee is 4.4x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Waunakee is 0.12x.

Statistic Waunakee Wisconsin United States
Median Home Value $566,541 $328,216 $303,400
Median Rent $1,236 $1,045 $1,348
Median Income $128,750 $75,670 $78,538
Home Value To Income 4.4x 4.3x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.12x 0.17x 0.21x
$566,541
Median Home Value
$1,236
Median Rent
$128,750
Median Income

Waunakee, WI Costs By Category

Detailed Waunakee Services Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item Waunakee 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 Waunakee Groceries Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item Waunakee 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 Waunakee Health Costs Vs. Wisconsin

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

Detailed Waunakee Transportation Costs Vs. Wisconsin

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

Detailed Waunakee Utilities Costs Vs. Wisconsin

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

Waunakee SnackAbility

10
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
9.5/10
Housing
8.5
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
5
Safety
8.5
Amenities
8.5
Education
9.5
Commute
8

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Waunakee

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Waunakee. 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, 0.9x Waunakee.

  • Sun Prairie, WI has a cost of living index of 114, 0.9x Waunakee.

  • Middleton, WI has a cost of living index of 125, 1.0x Waunakee.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Waunakee
Madison, WI 275,568 117 0.9x
Sun Prairie, WI 36,455 114 0.9x
Middleton, WI 22,235 125 1.0x
Verona, WI 14,499 120 1.0x
Oregon, WI 11,384 116 0.9x
DeForest, WI 10,853 112 0.9x
McFarland, WI 9,230 117 0.9x
Monona, WI 8,604 118 1.0x
Cottage Grove, WI 7,906 119 1.0x
Mount Horeb, WI 7,719 115 0.9x

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