Below Average CostNear National AverageWisconsin Rapids School District
Median Income
$51,186
household / year
Median Home Value
$110,700
owner-occupied
Median Rent
$868
gross / month
Cost of Living
90
national avg = 100
Is Wisconsin Rapids, WI a Good Place to Live?
Wisconsin Rapids is a small city of 18,783 in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $51,186
and a 6.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Wisconsin Rapids stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Wisconsin Rapids is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Wisconsin Rapids city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.5
Wisconsin Rapids's overall cost of living index is 90.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Wisconsin Rapids costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$110,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$868
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
54.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$51,186
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Wisconsin Rapids's violent crime rate is 532.2 per 100,000 residents
— 40% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
532.2 /100k
Property Crime
1892.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Wisconsin Rapids is served primarily by Wisconsin Rapids School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
National Avg
School District
Wisconsin Rapids School District
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Wisconsin Rapids sees average highs of 24.3°F in January
and 81.3°F in July,
with 34.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 47.8 inches of snow per year.
Wisconsin Rapids's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Wisconsin Rapids roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $110,700 and median rent is $868/month.
Wisconsin Rapids's violent crime rate is 532.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1892.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Wisconsin Rapids are operated by Wisconsin Rapids School District.
The district has 8 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.9:1. 16.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a population of 18,783, a median household income of $51,186, and an unemployment rate of 6.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Wisconsin Rapids averages 24.3°F in January and 81.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.2 inches
with about 47.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Wisconsin Rapids, WI is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 54495, 54494.
The population of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin is 18,783 with a median age of 38.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Wisconsin Rapids: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $110,700, median household income $51,186, crime index 120 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Wisconsin Rapids side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.