Cost of Living in Barron County, Wisconsin
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Barron County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Barron County ranks #1,500 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 48%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Barron County, Wisconsin
Barron County rents strain household budgets
Barron County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio sits above Wisconsin's state average of 14.9%, signaling tighter affordability despite the county's $64,619 median household income being $10,136 below the national level. Monthly rents of $859 consume a noticeable share of income.
Above-average rent burden in Wisconsin
At 15.9%, Barron County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average by 1.0 percentage point, placing it among the less affordable Wisconsin counties in this group. Median rent of $859 is just $32 below the state average, compounding pressure on households earning below the state median.
Pricier than Burnett, similar to Adams
Barron County's $859 monthly rent is higher than Burnett's $758 and Adams's $789, pulling its rent-to-income ratio to 15.9% despite having the second-highest median income in the comparison. This suggests Barron's housing market has appreciated faster than wages.
Rents take 16% of household income
At $64,619 median income, Barron County renters paying $859/month dedicate 15.9% to rent, while homeowners invest $938/month on properties valued at $198,300. Housing consumes a substantial but still manageable slice of household budgets, particularly for higher earners.
Reasonable balance of income and rents
Barron County offers solid median income levels relative to neighboring counties, with rents that are steep but not prohibitive. If you're relocating from a high-cost urban area or moving between rural counties, Barron's balanced affordability makes it worth comparing to its neighbors.
Cost of Living Advisory: Barron County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Barron County is affordable. The median rent is $859/month against a median household income of $64,619, putting rent at 16.0% of income.
Rent vs. Own
At $859/month rent versus $938/month in owner costs, renting is roughly $79/month cheaper — a 8% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $34,360/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $40,200/year. With a median household income of $64,619, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 27.0% of renter households in Barron County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Green Lake County where rent averages $806/month, Barron County is approximately 7% more expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Barron County
Rent Burden
16.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,508
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.4%
of gross income
The median home in Barron County may be a stretch
Median home value is $198,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,583 vs. your max of $1,508.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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