Cost of Living in Vilas County, Wisconsin
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Vilas County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Vilas County ranks #257 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 8%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Vilas County, Wisconsin
Vilas rents affordable, homes command premium
Vilas County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 14.9%, with $810 rent well below Wisconsin's $891 median. However, the $270,700 median home value far exceeds the state norm, creating a split market: cheap rentals for transient residents, expensive homes for buyers.
Vilas delivers northern Wisconsin rental relief
Vilas County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Wisconsin's 14.9% state average, ranking among the state's more affordable rental markets. For buyers, however, Vilas's $270,700 median home value ranks substantially higher than most Wisconsin counties, reflecting resort and recreation-driven demand.
Vilas: cheap rentals, expensive homes
Vilas's $810 rent undercuts neighbors Shawano ($777) and trails Sawyer ($683), but its $270,700 home value vastly exceeds the region, second only to St. Croix ($349,700). This split creates opportunity for renters seeking affordability and challenges for homebuyers.
Vilas split: renter heaven, buyer sticker shock
Renters allocate just 14.5% of $67,132 income to $810 monthly rent, enjoying above-average affordability in the state. Conversely, homebuyers face a $270,700 median that ranks among Wisconsin's highest—a stark contrast driven by recreational and resort property demand.
Vilas for renters and wealthy Northwoods buyers
Moving to Vilas makes sense if you're renting and prioritize Northwoods lifestyle, or if you have $300,000+ equity for a recreational property investment. Budget-conscious renters seeking to buy should explore Shawano or Taylor—rural counties where home prices align with modest incomes.
Cost of Living Advisory: Vilas County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Vilas County is affordable. The median rent is $810/month against a median household income of $67,132, putting rent at 14.5% of income.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Vilas County is $810/month, while owner costs run $884/month. Renting saves approximately $74/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $32,400/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $37,886/year. With a median household income of $67,132, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 21.0% of renter households in Vilas County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Wisconsin, Vilas County is more affordable than Burnett County by roughly 7% ($810/mo vs $758/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Vilas County
Rent Burden
14.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,566
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.8%
of gross income
The median home in Vilas County may be a stretch
Median home value is $270,700. Estimated monthly cost: $2,161 vs. your max of $1,566.
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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