What is the cost of living in Whitefish Bay, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Whitefish Bay has an overall cost of living index of 127, which is 1.3x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Whitefish Bay has a cost of living index that's 1.3x higher than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Whitefish Bay ranks as #144 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Whitefish Bay ranks as the #2 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Whitefish Bay, check out:
Whitefish Bay Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Whitefish Bay. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Whitefish Bay is 101.
The Groceries index in Whitefish Bay is 101.
The Health index in Whitefish Bay is 185.
The Housing index in Whitefish Bay is 100.
The Transportation index in Whitefish Bay is 104.
The Utilities index in Whitefish Bay is 102.
| Living Expense | Whitefish Bay | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 127 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 185 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 100 | 100 |
Whitefish Bay 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 Whitefish Bay Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Whitefish Bay, 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 Whitefish Bay is $642,952.
The Median Rent in Whitefish Bay is $1,335.
The Median Income in Whitefish Bay is $157,109.
The Home Value To Income in Whitefish Bay is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Whitefish Bay is 0.1x.
| Statistic | Whitefish Bay | Wisconsin | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $642,952 | $330,171 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,335 | $1,087 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $157,109 | $77,485 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.1x | 4.3x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.1x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
Whitefish Bay, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Whitefish Bay Services costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Whitefish Bay | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.07 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.26 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $10.03 | $18 |
| Haircut | $20.21 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $33.25 | $45.56 |
Detailed Whitefish Bay Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Whitefish Bay | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.05 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.46 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.55 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.1 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.33 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $8.52 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.66 | $3.7 |
Detailed Whitefish Bay Health costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Whitefish Bay | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $278.65 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $223.73 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $106.79 | $113.29 |
Detailed Whitefish Bay Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Whitefish Bay | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.3 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $44.14 | $59.92 |
Detailed Whitefish Bay Utilities costs vs. Wisconsin
| Item | Whitefish Bay | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $182.69 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $185.79 | $192.25 |
Whitefish Bay SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Whitefish Bay
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Whitefish Bay. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Milwaukee, WI has a cost of living index of 95, 0.7x Whitefish Bay.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost of living index of 110, 0.9x Whitefish Bay.
Brookfield, WI has a cost of living index of 120, 0.9x Whitefish Bay.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Whitefish Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 566,973 | 95 | 0.7x |
| Wauwatosa, WI | 48,529 | 110 | 0.9x |
| Brookfield, WI | 41,273 | 120 | 0.9x |
| New Berlin, WI | 40,270 | 111 | 0.9x |
| Menomonee Falls, WI | 39,539 | 111 | 0.9x |
| Franklin, WI | 35,886 | 110 | 0.9x |
| Mequon, WI | 25,270 | 128 | 1.0x |
| Glendale, WI | 13,656 | 105 | 0.8x |
| Shorewood, WI | 13,627 | 122 | 1.0x |
| Cedarburg, WI | 12,605 | 116 | 0.9x |
