Cost of Living in Rusk 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 Rusk County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Rusk County ranks #1,631 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 48%)
Sourced county brief
Rusk County Median Renter-Household Income Estimated at $35,334
The median renter-household income in Rusk County is $35,334. The county's official rentBurdenGrapiPct, which measures the median gross rent as a percentage of household income, is 26.6%. This figure is 1.3 percentage points higher than the Wisconsin unweighted county mean of 25.3%. Median gross rent is $874 per month, while the state unweighted county mean is $916. For owner-occupied properties, the median selected monthly owner costs are $856, which is lower than the state unweighted county mean of $1,072. The median home value in the county is $163,400, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $234,086. These statistics are snapshot estimates from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 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: Rusk County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 26.6% of renter household income in Rusk 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 $874 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $856. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $34,960 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. Rusk County's $874 median is 4.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Rusk County
Rent Burden
17.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,399
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.1%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Rusk County
Median home value is $163,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,304 vs. your max of $1,399.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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 Rusk County, Wisconsin?
What is the median rent in Rusk County?
Is Rusk County affordable?
How does Rusk County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Rusk County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Rusk County, Wisconsin? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Rusk County
Whether you're buying in Rusk County, Wisconsin, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.