Cost of Living in Monroe County, Wisconsin
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Monroe County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Monroe County ranks #1,974 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 37%)
Sourced county brief
Monroe County Median Gross Rent Aligns with Wisconsin County Mean
The median gross rent in Monroe County is estimated at $914 per month, which differs from the Wisconsin unweighted county mean of $916 by only $2. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 25.7%. This percentage is 0.4 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 25.3%. Renter households in the county have a median income of $45,708. For those in owner-occupied housing, the median selected monthly owner cost is $984, which is $88 below the state unweighted county mean of $1,072. The median home value in Monroe County is $210,000, while the state unweighted county mean is $234,086. All data points are based on the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Monroe County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.7% of renter household income in Monroe County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $914 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $984. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $36,560 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Wisconsin unweighted mean of county median rents is $916 per month. Monroe County's $914 median is 0.2% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Monroe County
Rent Burden
15.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,621
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.0%
of gross income
The median home in Monroe County may be a stretch
Median home value is $210,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,677 vs. your max of $1,621.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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
What is the cost of living in Monroe County, Wisconsin?
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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