Regional Price Parity, all items
94.1
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Housing price parity (rents)
79.3
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Utilities price parity
89.9
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Goods price parity
94.3
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Medical care price index (Midwest region)
568.5
2025 · BLS CPI-U medical care
Regular gasoline price
$4.11 per gallon
Week of 2026-10-05 · U.S. EIA weekly retail price
Cost of living index
95.6
U.S. avg = 100
Housing cost index
87
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Cost of living index
2000–202495.6▼ 2%
MERIC composite index, U.S. average = 100.
Cost of Living Index
Composite cost index.
Regional Price Parity, all items
94.1
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Rank
19th cheapest
Trend
Stable
Regional Price Parity, all items
2008–202494.1▲ 1%
BEA Regional Price Parities (SARPP line 1).
| Indicator | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity, all items2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 94.1 | 100 |
- •Wisconsin costs about 5% less than the U.S. average, mostly thanks to cheaper housing.
Housing Costs
Housing component of the index.
Housing price parity (rents)
79.3
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Median rent
$1,050
Median home value
$268,600
Housing price parity (rents)
2008–202479.3▼ 6%
BEA Regional Price Parities, housing (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price parity (rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 79.3 | 100 |
- •Housing is the main reason Wisconsin's overall cost of living stays below the national average.
Utility Costs
Energy and utility spending.
Utilities price parity
89.9
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Electricity price per kWh (Midwest region)
$0.159 per kWh
2024 · BLS Average Price Data
Avg. electricity bill
$110 /mo
Winter heating
Mostly natural gas
Utilities price parity
2008–202489.9▼ 9%
BEA Regional Price Parities, utilities (SARPP line 4).
Electricity price per kWh (Midwest region)
1979–2024$0.159▲ 212%
BLS Average Price Data, annual average (APU020072610).
| Indicator | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities price parity2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 89.9 | 100 |
- •Wisconsin winters push heating demand far above the national average, even with moderate gas prices.
Food Costs
Grocery spending.
Goods price parity
94.3
2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities
Monthly grocery spend
$400 /person
Trend
Slightly below the U.S. average
Goods price parity
2008–202494.3▲ 3%
BEA Regional Price Parities, goods (SARPP line 2).
Food price index (Midwest region)
2006–2025325.5▲ 72%
BLS CPI-U food, Midwest region, annual average (CUUR0200SAF1).
| Indicator | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Goods price parity2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 94.3 | 100 |
- •Wisconsin's dairy and food-processing industry keeps grocery prices close to the national average.
Healthcare Costs
Medical spending.
Medical care price index (Midwest region)
568.5
2025 · BLS CPI-U medical care
Avg. annual premium
$7,600
Doctor visit
$120
Medical care price index (Midwest region)
2006–2025568.5▲ 69%
BLS CPI-U medical care, Midwest region, annual average (CUUR0200SAM).
- •Wisconsin hospital prices sit above the Midwest average, a long-running policy debate in the state.
Transportation Costs
Cost of getting around.
Regular gasoline price
$4.11 per gallon
Week of 2026-10-05 · U.S. EIA weekly retail price
Avg. auto insurance
$1,600 /yr
Regular gasoline price
1993–2025$2.94▲ 183%
U.S. EIA weekly retail price, all formulations, Midwest region (PADD 2), annual average (EMM_EPMR_PTE_R20_DPG).
| Indicator | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gasoline priceWeek of 2026-10-05, U.S. EIA weekly retail price | $4.11 per gallon | $4.35 per gallon |
- •Auto insurance in Wisconsin is among the cheapest in the country.
More figures
Utilities index
98
Food & groceries index
97
Healthcare index
102
Transportation index
97
Avg. electricity bill
$113 /mo