B
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
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 Onalaska Wisconsin National
Cost of living10396100
Goods & Services10397100
Groceries9799100
Health care110112100
Housing10788100
Transportation9998100
Utilities101102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Onalaska, WI

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Onalaska? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Onalaska stands at 103, making it 3% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Onalaska aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Onalaska residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Onalaska Affordable?

Is Onalaska affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Onalaska, the median home price is 12.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 7.4% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Onalaska boasting a median household income of $66,295, 19.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Onalaska?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower 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 Onalaska, the housing index comes in at 6.8% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Onalaska starts at 5% and the income tax rates start at 3.54%.

Where is the Data From?

The Onalaska cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Onalaska is 7% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Onalaska is 3% higher than the national average
  • Onalaska housing is 7% higher 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 Onalaska

See all the best places to live around Onalaska

Compare Onalaska, 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$90,921$7,577$2,121$2,728
      Renters$46,656$3,888$1,089$1,400
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Onalaska, WI, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Onalaska, the median monthly income is $90,921 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,121 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $46,656, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,089 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska National avg. Difference
      Home Price $208,600.00$184,700.0012.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,958.05$2,346.6916.6%
      Apartment Rent $879.00$949.007.4%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Onalaska 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.
      Brownsville, MN689909.7%
      Hokah, MN592937.5%
      Coon Valley, WI9378614.0%
      Galesville, WI1,628955.2%
      Rockland, WI5958812.5%
      Onalaska, WI18,8141033.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Madisonville, KY18,801918.6%
      Bellwood, IL18,7991011.0%
      Farmington, MO18,7928812.2%
      Alsip, IL18,8431011.1%
      Jacksonville, IL18,7848415.9%
      Onalaska, WI18,8141033.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.