Cost of Living in Wisconsin: Updated Prices and Other States Comparison

Wisconsin is a state rich in natural beauty and is located in the upper Midwestern province of the United States. The mix of modern developments and state-of-the-art universities makes it an attractive destination for international students and visitors. If you are thinking of going there for higher studies then you need to know what is the cost of living per month for a single person in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is famous for its top universities with a safe and pleasant environment. Before moving to Wisconsin, you need to understand the recent updates on the cost of living in Wisconsin. In this blog, we will discuss in detail the average cost of living in Wisconsin as well as other essential expenses. Let’s jump straight into discussing the average cost of living in Wisconsin.

Cost of Living in Wisconsin

The cost of living in Wisconsin can vary according to a person’s preferences, budget and lifestyle he follows. However, on average, monthly the cost of living in Wisconsin for an individual is around USD 1,104 without rent. However, the rent of a room apartment may cost you around USD 1,100 to USD 2,000. 

The cost of living in Wisconsin for an individual depends on some paramount factors, such as housing costs, food and grocery prices, public transportation costs, utility bills and a few others. Please note that the cost of living in Wisconsin varies according to student preferences and standard lifestyle. Here are some essential categories you need to know about how much they contribute to the cost of living in Wisconsin:

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Costs of Accommodation in Wisconsin

If you go for a one-bedroom apartment around the urban area in Wisconsin, it can cost around USD 1,493 per month, while if you opt for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre area, it can cost around USD 1,339 per month. Please note that the average cost of accommodation in Wisconsin depends on some factors, such as the location and size of the apartment.

Did you know that housing costs cover a large portion of the cost of living in Wisconsin? By looking at the table below, you can get a sense of what the average housing cost is in Wisconsin and how much it contributes to Wisconsin’s total living expense budget:

Apartment	Location	Approx Monthly Cost
Single-Bedroom Apartment	City Centre	USD 1,493
Single-bedroom Apartment	Outside the Centre	USD 1,339
Three -bedrooms Apartment	City Centre	USD 2,768
Three -bedrooms Apartment	Outside the Centre	USD 2,068

Cost of a Utility in Wisconsin

While living in an apartment, basic amenities like electricity, water, heating, garbage disposal etc. are very important for a human being and these services come with some cost. People in Wisconsin spend about USD 186 per month on basic utilities. For your convenience, in the following table, we have provided some basic utility costs in Wisconsin. Please see and make your budget accordingly:

Utility Type	Average Monthly Cost
Basic Utility for an apartment (Water, Electricity, Cooling, Heating and Garbage)	USD 186
Internet Plan (60 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	USD 71
Monthly Mobile Phone Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	USD 51

Restaurant Food Costs in Wisconsin 

Did you know that Wisconsin is known as America’s Dairyland? It produces large and good quality dairy products due to which you can find various dishes that contain regional dairy products. However, it offers the delicious taste of its food culture at a reasonable price.

Whether you want to dine at a restaurant or sample its street food, Wisconsin has something for everyone. The average cost of a meal at an affordable restaurant in Wisconsin is around USD 15 and the average cost of a meal at a mid-range restaurant for 2 people is around USD 75, including three main courses.

Cost of Grocery in Wisconsin

Preparing meals at home is a good thought if you are a student because if you go out to eat or often order food online at home. It can be expensive for you and can affect the budget of the cost of living in Wisconsin.

Furthermore, students need to maintain a monthly grocery budget as it is a primary and important part of the cost of living in Wisconsin and grocery costs can vary according to season, availability, quality, and the quantity you purchase. For your convenience, the average cost of groceries in Wisconsin is shown in the table below:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	USD 0.92
Eggs (regular) (12)	USD 3.12
Apples (1kg)	USD 3.83
Banana (1kg)	USD 1.21
Oranges (1kg)	USD 3.03
Tomato (1kg)	USD 3.73
Potato (1kg)	USD 2.29
Onion (1kg)	USD 2.31
Lettuce (1 head)	USD 1.70
Cheese (1kg)	USD 11.49
Rice (white), (1kg)	USD 5.02
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	USD 3.55
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	USD 1.66

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Transportation Costs in Wisconsin 

It is easy to get around in Wisconsin by public transportation such as ferries, bus services, shuttles, trams, streetcars, boat tours, rail services, etc. Typically, a one-way fare for public transportation in Wisconsin is around USD 2.00. However, public transportation costs in Wisconsin depend on the type of service you choose and the distance you travel.

Transportation costs cover a significant portion of the average cost of living in Wisconsin. For your reference, below we have outlined the average cost of transportation in Wisconsin and it will give you an idea of ​​how much you need to budget for transportation:

Mode of Transport	Approx Monthly Cost
One-way Fare Ticket for Local Transport	USD 2
Regular Monthly Pass	USD 65
Taxi Start	USD 4.50 (Normal Tariff)
Taxi 1 km	USD 2.17 (Normal Tariff)
Taxi 1 hour Waiting	USD 42 (Normal Tariff)
Gasoline	USD 0.92 per litre

Miscellaneous Cost in Wisconsin

Apart from the above range of expense categories of cost of living in Wisconsin, there are some miscellaneous costs that you need to know before moving there because, after some time in extra time, you will need them in Wisconsin apart from study and job.

We’ve provided a variety of data covering miscellaneous costs in Wisconsin, such as the cost of sports, entertainment, and apparel. Please take a look at the table below and you can also add them to your living expenses budget.

Miscellaneous Catagory	Average Costs
Fitness Club, for a month	USD 65
Tennis Court Rent on Weekend for an hour	USD 20
Cinema  1 Seat	USD 14.5
1 Pair of Branded Jeans	USD 58
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store like Zara, H&M, .	USD 43.75
1 Pair of Mid-Range Nike Running Shoes	USD 104.83

Cost of Living in Wisconsin Compared to Other States

In general, the average cost of living in Wisconsin is about 1 to 2 per cent lower than the national average. Further, if we compare Wisconsin to many other states in the US, it also offers a fairly affordable cost of living with ample opportunities for higher studies, work, and entertainment. 

Students need to thoroughly research the cost of living in nearby states to determine how affordable it is to accommodate their lifestyle in Wisconsin. For your reference, we have given a comparison between the cost of living in Wisconsin and other cities Texas, Florida, California, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Arizona, Minnesota and Colorado. Please have a look and understand the expenses accordingly:

Cost of living city-wise	Approx Costs	Comparison Cost of Living in Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Texas	USD 1236	Higher than Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Florida	USD 1332	Higher than Wisconsin
Cost of Living in California	USD 1,340	Higher than in Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Michigan	USD 1,196	Higher than Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Ohio	USD 1,195	Higher than Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Illinois	USD 1305	Higher than Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Arizona	USD  1127	Higher than Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Minnesota	USD 1196	Higher than Wisconsin
Cost of Living in Colorado	USD 1,288	Higher than Wisconsin

Average Cost of Tuition Fees in Wisconsin

The universities of Wisconsin are world-renowned and some of the prestigious universities are listed in the QS and THE rankings which makes these universities most suitable for international students for higher studies. The main expense for students who want to pursue higher studies in Wisconsin is university tuition fees. 

The average cost of tuition at Wisconsin universities can vary depending on your preferred program and the level of education you pursue. Searching for the average tuition fees in universities in Wisconsin is a difficult task for a candidate. That’s why we are here, in the following table we have given the average tuition fees at some universities in Wisconsin. Please take a look.

Name of University in Wisconsin	Approx Tuition Fees per year
University of Wisconsin – Madison	USD 40,603
Marquette University	USD 48,700
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse	USD 18,814
Edgewood College	USD 33,550
Concordia University Wisconsin	USD 34,250
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	USD 21,514
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh	USD 15,368
Lawrence University	USD 55,461

Conclusion: Wisconsin offers a good quality of life to international students at a lower cost than many other states in the United States. Its affordability, combined with diverse natural beauty, strong educational institutions, quality of life and vibrant cultural scene, make it an attractive place to study and live.

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FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Wisconsin. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.