Cost of Living in West Allis, WI

An Overview of Cost of Living in West Allis, WI

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in West Allis? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in West Allis stands at 96, making it 4% lower 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 West Allis 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. West Allis 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.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in West Allis?

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 West Allis. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 43% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 57% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is West Allis Affordable?

Is West Allis affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take West Allis, for instance, where the median home price falls 19.7% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 10.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with West Allis flaunting a median household income of $53,634, 3.1% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in West Allis?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In West Allis, the transportation index is 1.1% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In West Allis, the groceries index registers 2.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in West Allis, 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.