Wisconsin Rapids, WI Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Wisconsin Rapids, WI Summary

Cost of living in Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids is 82, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Wisconsin Rapids is 0.8x lower than the national average.

  • Wisconsin Rapids ranks as the #3 cheapest in Wisconsin out of 146.

  • Wisconsin Rapids ranks as the #221 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Wisconsin Rapids is $223,047.

  • The median income in Wisconsin Rapids is $54,116.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
82
Wisconsin Rapids's Overall Cost Of Living
0.8x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Wisconsin Rapids has an overall cost of living index of 82, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Wisconsin, Wisconsin Rapids has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Wisconsin's index of 95.

The standard of living in Wisconsin Rapids ranks as #3 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Wisconsin Rapids ranks as the #143 most expensive place in the Badger State.

For more reading on life in Wisconsin Rapids, check out:

3 out of 146
In Wisconsin
221 out of 6,489
In America

Wisconsin Rapids Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin

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

  • The Services index in Wisconsin Rapids is 81.

  • The Groceries index in Wisconsin Rapids is 95.

  • The Health index in Wisconsin Rapids is 127.

  • The Housing index in Wisconsin Rapids is 60.

  • The Transportation index in Wisconsin Rapids is 87.

  • The Utilities index in Wisconsin Rapids is 93.

Living Expense Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin National Average
Overall 82 95 100
Services 81 98 100
Groceries 95 100 100
Health 127 111 100
Housing 60 88 100
Transportation 87 100 100
Utilities 93 102 100
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
Wisconsin Rapids Cost of Living Vs. WI

Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids is $223,047.

  • The Median Rent in Wisconsin Rapids is $872.

  • The Median Income in Wisconsin Rapids is $54,116.

  • The Home Value To Income in Wisconsin Rapids is 4.1x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Wisconsin Rapids is 0.19x.

Statistic Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin United States
Median Home Value $223,047 $328,216 $303,400
Median Rent $872 $1,045 $1,348
Median Income $54,116 $75,670 $78,538
Home Value To Income 4.1x 4.3x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.19x 0.17x 0.21x
$223,047
Median Home Value
$872
Median Rent
$54,116
Median Income

Wisconsin Rapids, WI Costs By Category

Detailed Wisconsin Rapids Services Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids Groceries Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids Health Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin
Optometrist $89.62 $125.68
Doctor $202.67 $135.78
Dentist $110.3 $113.29

Detailed Wisconsin Rapids Transportation Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin
Gasoline $3.25 $3.46
Tire Balancing $66.53 $59.92

Detailed Wisconsin Rapids Utilities Costs Vs. Wisconsin

Item Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin
All Electricity $214.46 $193.99
Phone $184.65 $192.25

Wisconsin Rapids SnackAbility

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
5
Affordability
8
Diversity
6
Safety
6
Amenities
8.5
Education
6
Commute
8

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Wisconsin Rapids

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Wisconsin Rapids. 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 86, 1.0x Wisconsin Rapids.

  • Stevens Point, WI has a cost of living index of 90, 1.1x Wisconsin Rapids.

  • Marshfield, WI has a cost of living index of 87, 1.1x Wisconsin Rapids.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin Rapids
Wausau, WI 39,893 86 1.0x
Stevens Point, WI 25,497 90 1.1x
Marshfield, WI 18,718 87 1.1x
Weston, WI 15,784 88 1.1x
Plover, WI 13,713 94 1.1x
Tomah, WI 9,505 87 1.1x
Kronenwetter, WI 8,420 94 1.1x
Rib Mountain, WI 6,134 95 1.2x
Rothschild, WI 5,532 87 1.1x

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