B-
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
14%
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 Stoughton Wisconsin National
Cost of living10896100
Goods & Services10697100
Groceries10299100
Health care120112100
Housing11488100
Transportation10198100
Utilities109102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Stoughton, WI

Understanding the cost of living in Stoughton can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Stoughton cost of living index is 108, which is 8% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Stoughton 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 Stoughton Affordable?

Is Stoughton 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 Stoughton, the median home price is 20.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 1.7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Stoughton boasting a median household income of $65,878, 19.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Stoughton?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Stoughton, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5%, and income tax rates start at 3.54%.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Stoughton, is 14% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Stoughton 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Stoughton is 13% higher than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Stoughton is 8% higher than the national average
  • Stoughton housing is 14% 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 Stoughton

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Compare Stoughton, WI Cost of Living

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      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$81,214$6,768$1,895$2,437
      Renters$41,051$3,421$958$1,232
      The affordability of the housing market in Stoughton, WI as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Stoughton homeowners, the median income is $81,214. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,895 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $41,051. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $958 for their rent related monthly 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 Stoughton 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 Stoughton 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 Stoughton 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 Stoughton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $223,000.00$184,700.0020.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,571.07$2,346.699.6%
      Apartment Rent $933.00$949.001.7%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Stoughton 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.
      Albany, WI1,084964.0%
      Milton, WI5,5941000.2%
      Edgerton, WI5,5941000.2%
      Rockdale, WI2101033.3%
      Evansville, WI5,3741033.3%
      Stoughton, WI13,1461088.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Henderson, TX13,145928.0%
      Rocky Point, NY13,13812929.3%
      Warrenville, IL13,13711111.2%
      Timberlake, VA13,130982.0%
      Indiana, PA13,1629010.0%
      Stoughton, WI13,1461088.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.