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 84, 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 98.
The standard of living in Wisconsin Rapids ranks as #2 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Wisconsin Rapids ranks as the #144 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Wisconsin Rapids, check out:
Wisconsin Rapids Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Wisconsin Rapids. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Wisconsin Rapids is 95.
The Groceries index in Wisconsin Rapids is 100.
The Health index in Wisconsin Rapids is 60.
The Housing index in Wisconsin Rapids is 99.
The Transportation index in Wisconsin Rapids is 101.
The Utilities index in Wisconsin Rapids is 97.
| Living Expense | Wisconsin Rapids | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 60 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 100 | 100 |
Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Wisconsin Rapids is $219,123.
The Median Rent in Wisconsin Rapids is $888.
The Median Income in Wisconsin Rapids is $55,253.
The Home Value To Income in Wisconsin Rapids is 4.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Wisconsin Rapids is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Wisconsin Rapids | Wisconsin | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $219,123 | $330,171 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $888 | $1,087 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $55,253 | $77,485 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.0x | 4.3x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.17x | 0.21x |
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
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 91, 1.1x Wisconsin Rapids.
Stevens Point, WI has a cost of living index of 95, 1.1x Wisconsin Rapids.
Marshfield, WI has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x Wisconsin Rapids.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Wisconsin Rapids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WI | 39,996 | 91 | 1.1x |
| Stevens Point, WI | 25,785 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Marshfield, WI | 18,700 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Weston, WI | 15,749 | 97 | 1.2x |
| Plover, WI | 13,884 | 97 | 1.2x |
| Tomah, WI | 9,532 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Kronenwetter, WI | 8,395 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Rothschild, WI | 5,600 | 94 | 1.1x |
