A
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
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 Baraboo Wisconsin National
Cost of living9996100
Goods & Services10697100
Groceries10299100
Health care120112100
Housing8488100
Transportation10198100
Utilities109102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Baraboo, WI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Baraboo is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Baraboo is 99, which is 1% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Baraboo is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Baraboo Affordable?

Is Baraboo 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 Baraboo, for instance, where the median home price falls 16.8% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 15.8% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Baraboo flaunting a median household income of $52,925, 4.3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Baraboo?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Baraboo, the utilities index registers 9.2% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Baraboo, the housing index is 16.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Baraboo cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Baraboo is 3% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Baraboo is 1% lower than the national average
  • Baraboo 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 Baraboo

See all the best places to live around Baraboo

Compare Baraboo, 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$67,511$5,626$1,575$2,026
      Renters$32,673$2,723$762$980
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Baraboo, 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 Baraboo, the median monthly income is $67,511 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,575 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $32,673, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $762 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 Baraboo National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.26$24.260.0%
      Beauty Salon $66.46$45.5645.9%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.7%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.284.8%
      Movie $12.47$12.132.8%
      Bowling $27.76$18.0054.2%

      Groceries

      Item Baraboo National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.27$5.847.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.45$1.578.1%
      Milk $4.79$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $4.20$4.9315.0%
      Pizza $10.96$12.099.3%
      Beer $8.82$10.4115.3%

      Health Care

      Item Baraboo National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $70.37$125.6844.0%
      Doctor $222.85$135.7864.1%
      Dentist $122.45$113.298.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.72$10.650.6%
      Lipitor $506.88$468.608.2%

      Housing

      Item Baraboo National avg. Difference
      Home Price $153,700.00$184,700.0016.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,571.07$2,346.699.6%
      Apartment Rent $799.00$949.0015.8%

      Transportation

      Item Baraboo National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.39$3.462.0%
      Tire Balancing $65.66$59.929.6%

      Utilities

      Item Baraboo National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $226.90$193.9917.0%
      Phone $185.25$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.
      Bluffview, WI7318218.0%
      Loganville, WI256955.2%
      North Freedom, WI648955.1%
      Rock Springs, WI274964.2%
      Lake Delton, WI2,989972.9%
      Baraboo, WI12,133990.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sylacauga, AL12,1329010.1%
      Cascades, VA12,13215150.9%
      Fortuna, CA12,13511918.7%
      Lake Tapps, WA12,12914747.3%
      Somerville, NJ12,13912727.2%
      Baraboo, WI12,133990.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.