A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
16%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Chippewa Falls Wisconsin National
Cost of living9696100
Goods & Services10397100
Groceries9799100
Health care110112100
Housing8488100
Transportation9998100
Utilities101102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Chippewa Falls, WI

The cost of living in Chippewa Falls affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Chippewa Falls is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Chippewa Falls closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Chippewa Falls can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Chippewa Falls Affordable?

Is Chippewa Falls an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Chippewa Falls, the median home price is 18.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 12% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Chippewa Falls come in at $54,917, which is 0.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Chippewa Falls?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Chippewa Falls, the general sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates begin at 3.54%.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Chippewa Falls, the transportation index is 0.6% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Chippewa Falls, healthcare costs are 9.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Chippewa Falls, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Chippewa Falls is equal to the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Chippewa Falls is 4% lower than the national average
  • Chippewa Falls housing is 16% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Chippewa Falls

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Compare Chippewa Falls, WI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$70,736$5,895$1,650$2,122
      Renters$34,894$2,908$814$1,047
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Chippewa Falls, WI, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Chippewa Falls have a median income of $70,736. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,650 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $34,894, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $814.

      Wisconsin Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Wisconsin 5% 6.75%

      Wisconsin Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Wisconsin 3.54% 7.65%

      Goods & Services

      Item Chippewa Falls National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.83$24.2614.1%
      Beauty Salon $39.17$45.5614.0%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.701.0%
      Shampoo $1.23$1.283.7%
      Movie $10.00$12.1317.6%
      Bowling $15.67$18.0013.0%

      Groceries

      Item Chippewa Falls National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.94$5.841.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.6%
      Milk $4.58$4.672.0%
      Potatoes $4.49$4.939.0%
      Pizza $12.29$12.091.7%
      Beer $8.47$10.4118.6%

      Health Care

      Item Chippewa Falls National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.00$125.680.5%
      Doctor $179.67$135.7832.3%
      Dentist $107.33$113.295.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.27$10.653.6%
      Lipitor $538.52$468.6014.9%

      Housing

      Item Chippewa Falls National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,100.00$184,700.0018.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,958.05$2,346.6916.6%
      Apartment Rent $835.00$949.0012.0%

      Transportation

      Item Chippewa Falls National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.36$3.462.8%
      Tire Balancing $62.89$59.925.0%

      Utilities

      Item Chippewa Falls National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.62$193.990.2%
      Phone $197.22$192.252.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cadott, WI1,358919.0%
      Elk Mound, WI1,129928.1%
      Jim Falls, WI138927.6%
      Bloomer, WI3,495937.4%
      Fall Creek, WI1,610946.4%
      Chippewa Falls, WI14,197964.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mount Dora, FL14,2011087.6%
      Viera West, FL14,20412828.1%
      Hawaiian Gardens, CA14,21214040.1%
      Pineville, LA14,179909.5%
      Fruitville, FL14,17811717.0%
      Chippewa Falls, WI14,197964.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.