A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
36%
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 Manitowoc Wisconsin National
Cost of living8796100
Goods & Services9597100
Groceries9899100
Health care95112100
Housing6488100
Transportation9998100
Utilities98102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Manitowoc, WI

The cost of living in Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Manitowoc?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Manitowoc. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 86% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 14% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Manitowoc Affordable?

Is Manitowoc an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Manitowoc is 39.4% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 29.2% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Manitowoc has a median household income of $51,563, which is 6.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Manitowoc?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Manitowoc, the housing index comes in at 36.3% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Manitowoc displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Manitowoc is 10% lower than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Manitowoc is 13% lower than the national average
  • Manitowoc housing is 36% 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 Manitowoc

See all the best places to live around Manitowoc

Compare Manitowoc, 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$63,557$5,296$1,483$1,907
      Renters$33,009$2,751$770$990
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Manitowoc, WI, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Manitowoc homeowners, is $63,557. This would allow for a maximum of $1,483 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $33,009 which would result in a maximum of $770 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Manitowoc National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.11$24.2617.1%
      Beauty Salon $30.55$45.5632.9%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.7%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.281.0%
      Movie $14.24$12.1317.4%
      Bowling $17.83$18.000.9%

      Groceries

      Item Manitowoc National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.10$5.844.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.42$1.579.5%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.3%
      Potatoes $4.35$4.9311.9%
      Pizza $10.54$12.0912.8%
      Beer $8.87$10.4114.8%

      Health Care

      Item Manitowoc National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $78.75$125.6837.3%
      Doctor $157.90$135.7816.3%
      Dentist $104.06$113.298.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.58$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $357.09$468.6023.8%

      Housing

      Item Manitowoc National avg. Difference
      Home Price $112,000.00$184,700.0039.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,027.96$2,346.6913.6%
      Apartment Rent $672.00$949.0029.2%

      Transportation

      Item Manitowoc National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.32$3.464.2%
      Tire Balancing $63.04$59.925.2%

      Utilities

      Item Manitowoc National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $191.22$193.991.4%
      Phone $185.40$192.253.6%
      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.
      Two Rivers, WI11,0798515.3%
      Kellnersville, WI3408514.6%
      Reedsville, WI1,0988614.3%
      Valders, WI8628712.8%
      Mishicot, WI1,4418812.4%
      Manitowoc, WI32,5588713.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lawndale, CA32,53315858.5%
      South Riding, VA32,52615959.3%
      Okotoks, AB32,526n/a 
      Laramie, WY32,5151011.1%
      Gillette, WY32,513990.6%
      Manitowoc, WI32,5588713.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.