{"id":460360,"date":"2026-06-02T04:51:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T08:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/?p=460360"},"modified":"2026-06-02T04:51:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T08:51:49","slug":"cheapest-places-to-live-in-wisconsin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/cheapest-places-to-live-in-wisconsin\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Want Wisconsin\u2019s lake lifestyle without Madison\u2019s high prices? Don\u2019t give up on the dream. You can afford a house in the Badger State if you know where to look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your perfect home could be a family-friendly house in Racine or a&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/appleton\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">starter home in Appleton<\/a>, Wisconsin\u2019s fastest-growing economic center. If you\u2019re retiring, look at&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/wisconsin-rapids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homes for sale in Wisconsin Rapids<\/a> to enjoy a low-cost lakeside lifestyle, with median home prices under $165,000.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After assessing hundreds of cities, here are the 10 most affordable places to live in Wisconsin to help you find a home that fits your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-accordion custom-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-accordion-item accordion-item\"><button class=\"accordion-header\"><span class=\"accordion-title\">\ud83c\udfe0 What is Houzeo?<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"840px\" height=\"450px\" class=\"accordion-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/flat-fee-mls\/faqArrow.svg\" alt=\"toggle\"\/><\/button><div class=\"accordion-content\">\n<p>Houzeo is America&#8217;s best home buying and selling platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For Home Sellers:<\/strong> List your home for a Flat Fee, and save 2.5% to 5.5% on the listing agent commission! That&#8217;s thousands of dollars extra in your pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For Home Buyers:<\/strong> Houzeo has the most number of <a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">houses for sale in Wisconsin<\/a>. Start your dream home search now!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-accordion custom-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-accordion-item accordion-item\"><button class=\"accordion-header\"><span class=\"accordion-title\">\ud83d\udcf1 Does Houzeo have a mobile app?<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"840px\" height=\"450px\" class=\"accordion-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/flat-fee-mls\/faqArrow.svg\" alt=\"toggle\"\/><\/button><div class=\"accordion-content\">\n<p>Yes! You can list your home for sale or search millions of homes on the Houzeo mobile app!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download now on the <a     href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/app\/id1576836461\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Apple App Store<\/a> or the <a     href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.houzeo.houzeo&#038;pli=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Google Play Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div  class=\"hfsWidget \" data-widget-title=\"Find homes in Wisconsin that fit your budget  \ud83c\udfde\ufe0f\" data-widget-list-item1=\"1st item\" data-widget-list-item2=\"2nd item\" data-widget-list-item3=\"3rd item\" data-widget-type=\"buyer1\" data-widget-vendor-type=\"inspector\" data-widget-state=\"wi\" data-widget-city=\"\" data-widget-redirect-url=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/cheap-homes-for-sale\" data-widget-redirect-text=\"Cheap homes for sale in Wisconsin\" data-widget-button-url=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\" data-widget-button-text=\"\" data-widget-min-price=\"0\" data-widget-max-price=\"0\" data-widget-min-area=\"0\" data-widget-max-area=\"0\" data-widget-sidebar=\"false\">\n        <div class=\"widgetMainBox mainBox456\">\n        <div class=\"widgetBox widgetBox3 buyer-one\">\n            <div class=\"widgetTop\" style=\"display: flex;\">\n                <div class=\"widgetTopcont\">\n                    <div class=\"homePageQuickListing -page homepage widgetInBox3 hfs_new_design_widget\">\n                      <div class=\"HeaderTopSidebar\"> \n                        <p class=\"headerStyle\">Find homes in Wisconsin that fit your budget  \ud83c\udfde\ufe0f<\/p>\n                                                                         <div class=\"widgetList skeleton skeleton-text\">\n                            <p>View 28,102 homes for sale in <span\n                            class=\"propertyStateSpan\">WI<\/span><\/p>                            \n                        <\/div>\n                                                                      <\/div>  \n                        <div class=\"verifyFieldForm addInput\">\n                            <div class=\"inputSearchBox\">\n                                <div class=\"inputBoxElement addressBar\">\n                                    <input type=\"text\" name=\"ITBTtRE\" id=\"buyerAutocomplete\"\n                                        placeholder=\"Enter an address, city, neighborhood, or ZIP\"\n                                        class=\"pac-target-input buyerAutocomplete\" autocomplete=\"off\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <span class=\"errorStreetMsg errorMsg\">Please enter valid address<\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n                            \n                            <div class=\"inputSubmitBox\">\n                                                                <button id=\"buyerBtnBox456\" class=\"continueCta storeAddress next_btn buyerBtnBox\">Search\n                                    <span class=\"arrowContinue\"><\/span><\/button>\n                            <\/div>\n                        \n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"widgetInsideBox\">\n                <div class=\"widgetPropertyBoxNew\" id=\"propertyContainer\">\n                <div class=\"widgetPropertyInnerBox\">   \n                 \t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetPropColumnNew halfWidthCard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes\/9-elliott-street-street-janesville-wi-53546\/hzid_7007f5cb\" class=\"widgetAnchorColumnLink\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetImageBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.houzeo.com\/idx\/media\/wirexmwir\/715364560700\/715364560700_1.webp\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/seller\/listing\/uploads\/listing_images\/thumbnails\/empty-property.jpg';\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/idx\/wirex_logo-xs.webp\" alt=\"logo\" class=\"insideWidgetLogo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetTextBox\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <p class=\"priceText\">$259,900<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <span class=\"addressText\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9 elliott street street, <br\/>janesville, WI 53546\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"suummarize-info grey-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/blog\/blog-info-gray.svg\" alt=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"voult-tooltip-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fz-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tListing Provided by:  Keller Williams Realty Signature <br>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSource: WIREX | MLS#: 2023392<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetPropColumnNew halfWidthCard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes\/6528-w-north-avenue-avenue-wauwatosa-wi-53213\/hzid_3c0125af\" class=\"widgetAnchorColumnLink\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetImageBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.houzeo.com\/idx\/media\/wirexmwir\/714660043600\/714660043600_1.webp\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/seller\/listing\/uploads\/listing_images\/thumbnails\/empty-property.jpg';\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/idx\/wirex_logo-xs.webp\" alt=\"logo\" class=\"insideWidgetLogo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetTextBox\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <p class=\"priceText\">$629,900<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <span class=\"addressText\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6528 w north avenue avenue, <br\/>wauwatosa, WI 53213\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"suummarize-info grey-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/blog\/blog-info-gray.svg\" alt=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"voult-tooltip-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fz-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tListing Provided by:  Forward Realty Partners <br>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSource: WIREX | MLS#: 1951373<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <div class=\"widgetPropColumnNew fullWidthCard \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/cheap-homes-for-sale\" class=\"widgetanctextfind widgetancTextForAll\" target=\"_blank\">Cheap homes for sale in Wisconsin<span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/houzeo-media-1.s3.amazonaws.com\/homes-for-sale\/blue-arrow.svg\" alt=\"arrow\" width=\"11\" height=\"10\"><\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                   <\/div>   \n               \n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n       \n    <\/div>\n\t<script>\n    document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() {        \n        if (!window.assetsLoaded) {\n            window.assetsLoaded = true;\n            var version = (typeof customData !== 'undefined' && customData.customVersion) ? customData.customVersion : '1.0';\n            loadScript('\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/houzeo-new-design\/js\/hfs-widget.js?version=' + version);\n            loadCSS('\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/houzeo-new-design\/css\/hfs-widget.css?version=' + version);\n        }    \n    });\n\t\t\n\t<\/script>\n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-houzeo-takeaways-list takeawaysSec\"><p class=\"headKeySec\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"listing\"><li><strong>Antigo is the most affordable city:<\/strong> Antigo\u2019s cost of living is 23% lower than the Wisconsin average, and with a median home price of around $154,000, it is the cheapest place to live in Wisconsin.<\/li><li><strong>Oshkosh is the best city for young professionals:<\/strong> It benefits from the University of Wisconsin\u2013Oshkosh, aviation and manufacturing jobs, and steady entry-level hiring. <\/li><li><strong>For families, Antigo stands out:<\/strong> Tree-lined neighborhoods, established schools, and major employers like Kretz Lumber Co. make Antigo a practical choice for raising a family on a budget.<\/li><li><strong>Retirees should consider Wisconsin Rapids:<\/strong> With low living costs, short commutes, and access to Nepco Lake and Lake Wazeecha, Wisconsin Rapids supports a relaxed retirement lifestyle.<\/li><li><strong>Don&#8217;t overlook Wisconsin&#8217;s &#8220;winter tax&#8221;: <\/strong>After severe winter storms, homeowners face $1,800\u2013$3,500 yearly premiums for wind\/hail coverage alongside heating bills averaging $2,800 (3x southern states).\u200b<strong>\u200b<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"cheapest-wi-cities\"><strong>Most Affordable Places to Live in Wisconsin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"footable_parent_475672\"\n         class=\" footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui \">\n                <table data-ninja_table_instance=\"ninja_table_instance_0\" data-footable_id=\"475672\" data-filter-delay=\"1000\" aria-label=\"Cheapest Cities in Wisconsin\"            id=\"footable_475672\"\n           data-unique_identifier=\"ninja_table_unique_id_1803441107_475672\"\n           class=\" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_475672 ninja_table_unique_id_1803441107_475672 ui table  nt_type_legacy_table selectable celled striped compact vertical_centered  footable-paging-center ninja_table_search_disabled ninja_table_pro\">\n                <colgroup>\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_0 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_1 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_2 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_3 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_4 \">\n                    <\/colgroup>\n        <thead>\n<tr class=\"footable-header\">\n                                                                                        <th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_0 ninja_clmn_nm_city \">City<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_1 ninja_clmn_nm_average_household_income \">Median Home Value<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_2 ninja_clmn_nm_median_home_value \">Median House Rent<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_3 ninja_clmn_nm_safety_rank \">Cost of Living Compared to State Average<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_4 ninja_clmn_nm_affordability_score_out_of_10 \">Affordability Score (out of 10)<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n\n        <tr data-row_id=\"16009\" class=\"ninja_table_row_0 nt_row_id_16009\">\n            <td>1. <a href=\"#antigo\">Antigo<\/a><\/td><td>$154,000<\/td><td>$745<\/td><td>23% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>8.7<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16008\" class=\"ninja_table_row_1 nt_row_id_16008\">\n            <td>2. <a href=\"#wisconsin-rapids\">Wisconsin Rapids<\/a><\/td><td>$165,000<\/td><td>$925<\/td><td>10% \u2b07\ufe0f <\/td><td>8.1<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16011\" class=\"ninja_table_row_2 nt_row_id_16011\">\n            <td>3. <a href=\"#merrill\">Merrill<\/a><\/td><td>$172,500<\/td><td>$995<\/td><td>21% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>8.1<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16010\" class=\"ninja_table_row_3 nt_row_id_16010\">\n            <td>4. <a href=\"#prairie-du-chien\">Prairie Du Chien<\/a><\/td><td>$250,000<\/td><td>$750<\/td><td>12% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>7.4<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16925\" class=\"ninja_table_row_4 nt_row_id_16925\">\n            <td>5. <a href=\"#wausau\">Wausau<\/a><\/td><td>$215,500<\/td><td>$995<\/td><td>5% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>7.2<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16005\" class=\"ninja_table_row_5 nt_row_id_16005\">\n            <td>6. <a href=\"#beloit\">Beloit<\/a><\/td><td>$202,500<\/td><td>$1,120<\/td><td>0% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>7.0<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16923\" class=\"ninja_table_row_6 nt_row_id_16923\">\n            <td>7. <a href=\"#oshkosh\">Oshkosh<\/a><\/td><td>$222,000<\/td><td>$1,144<\/td><td>7% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>6.8<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16006\" class=\"ninja_table_row_7 nt_row_id_16006\">\n            <td>8. <a href=\"#marinette\">Marinette<\/a><\/td><td>$182,000<\/td><td>$1,450<\/td><td>10% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>6.7<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16007\" class=\"ninja_table_row_8 nt_row_id_16007\">\n            <td>9. <a href=\"#racine\">Racine<\/a><\/td><td>$218,000<\/td><td>$1,184<\/td><td>4% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>6.7<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"16924\" class=\"ninja_table_row_9 nt_row_id_16924\">\n            <td>10. <a href=\"#appleton\">Appleton<\/a><\/td><td>$290,000<\/td><td>$1,256<\/td><td>0% \u2b07\ufe0f<\/td><td>5.6<\/td>        <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody><!--ninja_tobody_rendering_done-->\n    <\/table>\n    \n    \n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"affordable-cities-in-wisconsin\"><strong>How We Ranked the Most Affordable Places to Live in Wisconsin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To identify the cheap places to live in Wisconsin, we carried out an in-depth analysis using multiple reliable data sources and indicators of affordability.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"cost-of-living-wisconsin\"><strong>Data Sources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Median Home Prices:<\/strong> We used Houzeo\u2019s&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/housing-market\/wisconsin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wisconsin Housing Market<\/a>&nbsp;report and double-checked the numbers with the&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/economicdevelopment.extension.wisc.edu\/topics\/housing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Housing &amp; Community Economic Development (Extension) \u2013 UW System<\/a>.\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median Rent:<\/strong> We got the rent data from&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.c2er.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">C2ER<\/a>, which publishes the national Cost of Living Index; this was verified every few months to ensure accuracy.\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overall Cost of Living:<\/strong> We covered 6 big spending categories\u2014housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods\u2014from C2ER, then compared everything to the U.S. average of 100.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We studied housing data from 2022 to 2025 to identify cities that remained affordable over time, not just during short dips in prices; each city\u2019s data was also cross-checked with HUD and state economic reports. All our information is up to date as of 2025, ensuring you receive the most current insights.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"wisconsin-cost-of-living\"><strong>Affordability Scoring<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We built a simple scoring system that focuses on what really matters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Median Home Price (40%)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median Rent (35%)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost of Living (25%)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, we can clearly show which Wisconsin cities give you the best value for your money; you can also check out our&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cptl-algorithm-wisconsin-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">score breakdown<\/a>&nbsp;to see how each city was ranked.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Image credits: All blog images are sourced from&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Freepik<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"population-growth\"><strong>10 Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"antigo\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Antigo<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $154,000<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $745<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> 23% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/antigo-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Antigo, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">8.7<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Antigo is the cheapest city to live in Wisconsin, known for its tree-lined streets and small-town charm, just 3 hours north of Milwaukee near the Northwoods. Homes for sale in Antigo offer exceptional value, complemented by historical gems like the Carnegie Library and convenient access to Kretz Lumber Co. jobs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>North Side:<\/strong> This neighbourhood maintains a quiet residential vibe with modest single-family homes along tree-lined streets. Residents favor it for its proximity to Antigo City Park trails and schools like Northwoods Community Elementary School.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eureka:<\/strong> It offers a peaceful suburban feel with spacious yards close to the Wisconsin River access points. Families value its access to Peace Park events like flash mobs and top-rated Antigo High School athletics.<\/li>\n<li><strong>West Side:<\/strong> It blends residential charm with easy access to Kretz Lumber Co. jobs and the River Bend County Park bike path. It appeals to families for proximity to the summer Rib Fest and Mattison Park playgrounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> Antigo&#8217;s job market centers on manufacturing and lumber processing, alongside retail and healthcare. Major employers include Kretz Lumber Co. for northern hardwood production, Volm Companies for produce packaging systems, and Aspirus for regional medical services.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation:<\/strong> Antigo attracts visitors to its 26 parks, like the Riverside Athletic Park for softball tournaments and the Peace Park for summer concerts. The River Bend County Park offers disc golf, while Mattison Park hosts the annual Rib Fest barbecue event reflecting Northwoods community traditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Drug Epidemic:<\/strong> Antigo faces serious drug issues, including methamphetamine use visible in public areas, contributing to higher property crime rates than similar small towns.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bLimited Job Diversity:<\/strong> Few high-paying positions exist beyond manufacturing and lumber mills, with businesses leaving and minimal efforts to attract younger workers or new industries.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200b\u200bHarsh Winters:<\/strong> Prolonged cold seasons with heavy snow increase heating costs and limit outdoor activities for much of the year in this Northwoods location.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"wisconsin-rapids\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#2<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Wisconsin Rapids<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $165,000<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $925<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> 10% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/w-rapids-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Wisconsin Rapids,\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">8.1<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Wisconsin Rapids is an affordable city in Wisconsin. It is celebrated for its central location along the Wisconsin River, 2.5 hours from Madison, and near Wood County parks. Verso Corporation and the Lakefront Trails at Nepco Lake create a relaxed, family-oriented lifestyle with average commutes under 15 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong><strong>Port Edwards<\/strong>:<\/strong> It provides a quiet residential vibe with single-family homes near E.J. Ward Park splash pad. Residents value its proximity to schools like McMillan-McDonald Elementary School and the summer Concerts in the Park series.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Westland Location:<\/strong> This area features family-oriented streets backing onto Lake Wazeecha access points. It connects to Bulitz Park trails and top-rated Lincoln High School athletic fields for easy outdoor access.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biron:<\/strong> This neighbourhood delivers suburban charm close to the Cranberry Highway shops and Heritage Landing events. Residents can reach River Cities Jazz Fest gatherings and head to Washington Elementary playgrounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> It focuses on paper production, cranberries, and manufacturing, with key sectors employing residents in processing plants along the Wisconsin River. Major employers include Verso Corporation for paper milling, Ocean Spray for cranberry operations, and Marshfield Clinic for healthcare roles.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation:<\/strong> Wisconsin Rapids features the Cranberry Blossom Festival parade in June with themed floats, alongside Nepco Lake boating and fishing spots. Lake Wazeecha offers summer water ski shows by the local Aquanuts team, while the Community Theater stages productions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>River Flood Risk:<\/strong> The Wisconsin River location exposes neighborhoods to seasonal flooding, requiring elevated insurance premiums and occasional evacuations during heavy rains.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aging Infrastructure:<\/strong> Roads, bridges, and utilities show wear from industrial traffic, leading to frequent repairs and higher property taxes for maintenance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cold Winters:<\/strong> Prolonged sub-zero temperatures and lake-effect snow from nearby Lake Michigan limit mobility and increase heating costs for 5-6 months annually.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRetail Decline:<\/strong> Local shopping options have dwindled with big-box stores dominating, forcing residents to drive to Stevens Point or Wausau for variety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"merrill\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#3<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Merrill<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $172,500<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $995<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> 21% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/merrill-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Merrill, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">8.1<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Merrill, known as the &#8220;City of Parks,&#8221; is nestled along the Wisconsin River. It is just 45 minutes from Wausau and 2 hours from Green Bay. It provides excellent value near 26 local parks, the scenic River Bend Trail. It also has attractions like the historic Cosmo Theatre, for nature lovers seeking budget-friendly living.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Northwest:<\/strong> This area provides a quiet residential vibe with modest homes near Clark Street shops. Residents like its proximity to Merrill High School athletics and Riverside Park fishing spots.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Merril West:<\/strong> This neighbourhood\u00a0features family-oriented streets close to the historic Cosmo Theatre downtown. It connects easily to Prairie Rapids Park trails and Lincoln Elementary playgrounds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>City Center:<\/strong> It delivers suburban charm backing onto Goodrich Mountain views and City Pool access. Residents reach annual Farmers Market gatherings and T.B. Scott Library branches on foot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> It\u00a0revolves around manufacturing, woodworking, and healthcare, supporting steady employment through local plants and mills. Major employers include Volm Companies for packaging machinery, Kretz Lumber Co. for hardwood processing, and Aspirus Merrill Hospital for medical services.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation:<\/strong> Merrill shines with its &#8220;City of Parks&#8221; title through Riverside Park&#8217;s fishing pier and athletic fields, and Council Grounds State Park for camping along the Wisconsin River. The annual Rib Fest at Mattison Park draws crowds, while Prairie Rapids offers summer tubing and disc golf.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Drug Issues:<\/strong> The community faces ongoing methamphetamine problems affecting public safety and visible in certain residential areas around parks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Population Decline:<\/strong> Recent census data shows a shrinking population of around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin-demographics.com\/merrill-demographics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">9,519<\/a>, with an aging median age of 43, reducing family services and school enrollment.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Harsh Winters:<\/strong> Northwoods location brings extended sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfalls, limiting mobility and raising heating costs from November through March.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Retail Shortages:<\/strong> Limited shopping beyond basic grocery and discount stores requires driving to Wausau for specialty retail or entertainment options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"prairie-du-chien\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#4<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Prairie Du Chien<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$250,000<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong>\u00a0$750<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong>\u00a012% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pdc-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">7.4<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Prairie du Chien, along the Mississippi River as the state&#8217;s second-oldest community, is just 90 minutes from Madison. It is nestled in Crawford County with short commutes and scenic river trails. It delivers a welcoming, tourist-season vibe for budget-minded families seeking small-town charm.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Northwest:<\/strong> This area provides a quiet residential vibe with modest homes near Water Street views. Buyers note its proximity to Prairie Catholic School and St. Feriole Island pedestrian bridge access.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Historic downtown:<\/strong> This neighbourhood features family-oriented streets close to Villa Louis historic mansion grounds. It connects easily to Wyalusing State Park trailheads and B.A. Clark Middle School fields.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Southeast:<\/strong> It delivers suburban charm backing onto the Drop of the Carp festival routes and City Park splash pad. Residents can reach Crawford County Fair events and schools like Bluff View Elementary on foot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> It focuses on manufacturing, contract packaging, and agriculture-related processing. Major employers include Prairie Industries for packaging and converting services, Design Homes for modular construction, and UFP Industries for wood products, alongside Crawford County healthcare facilities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation: \u00a0<\/strong>Villa Louis historic mansion tours and St. Feriole Island pedestrian bridge walks amid Mississippi bluffs give a vibrant charm to this town. The annual Drop of the Carp New Year&#8217;s festival, Wyalusing State Park, and the Treasure Cave overlook reflect the river town traditions.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Flood Vulnerability:<\/strong> Mississippi River bluffs expose homes to seasonal flooding and high insurance costs during spring thaws and heavy rains.\u200b<\/li>\n<li><strong>Poor Schools:<\/strong> The school district struggles with drug and alcohol issues among students, alongside inconsistent handling of behavioral problems despite dedicated teachers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limited Shopping:<\/strong> Basic retail dominates with no major chains, requiring 90-minute drives to Madison or La Crosse for specialty stores or entertainment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"wausau\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#5<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Wausau<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $215,500<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $995<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> 5% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wausau-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Wausau, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">7.2<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Wausau serves as the Marathon County hub along the Wisconsin Rapids River, roughly 2 hours from Madison and near Granite Peak Ski Area. It delivers solid value amid cultural draws and family spots such as Big Bull Falls Park and fosters a vibrant, central Wisconsin lifestyle for budget-savvy families.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>East Hill:<\/strong> This neighbourhood provides a vibrant hillside vibe with homes overlooking downtown bridges. Buyers prefer its walkability to the Franklin School and Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum exhibits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rib Mountain:<\/strong> This side of the town features kid-friendly residential streets near Hewitt Park trails. It also connects to G.D. Jones Elementary playgrounds and summer Rib Mountain Jazz Fest routes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Northwest Side:<\/strong> It delivers quiet suburban charm close to Marathon Park fields. Residents have access to Lincoln Elementary sports and nearby Granite Peak Ski Area access roads alongside the local farmers&#8217; market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> Major sectors are manufacturing, healthcare, and metal fabrication, drawing from Marathon County&#8217;s skilled workforce. Major employers include Aspirus Wausau Hospital for medical services, Wausau Window and Wall Systems for building products, and Marathon Cheese for dairy processing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation:<\/strong> Wausau highlights Granite Peak Ski Area for winter downhill runs and summer mountain biking on its 200 acres. Big Bull Falls Park hosts summer concerts at its amphitheater, while Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum displays global bird art collections. Marathon Park offers riverfront disc golf.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Winter Severity:<\/strong> Wausau experiences prolonged sub-zero temperatures and heavy lake-effect snow from November through March, increasing heating costs and limiting mobility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bTraffic Congestion:<\/strong> Stewart Avenue rush hour bottlenecks and construction around Granite Peak access roads create daily delays despite the city&#8217;s mid-sized population.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bLimited Nightlife:<\/strong> Few entertainment options exist after 10 PM beyond chain restaurants, requiring drives to Stevens Point for concerts or diverse dining experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"beloit\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#6<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Beloit<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $202,500<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $1,120<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> Same as the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/beloit-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Beloit, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">7.0<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Beloit is located along the Rock River near the Illinois border, just an hour from Madison and close to Janesville&#8217;s amenities. Family-friendly spots such as Riverside Park and employers like Regal Beloit support short commutes averaging 13 minutes in this welcoming southern gateway community.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Downtown Beloit:<\/strong> This downtown provides an urban residential vibe with lofts near the Beloit Sky Carp stadium. Buyers prefer it for its walkability to the Ironworks Campus, entertainment, and Beloit Memorial High School events.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Riverside:<\/strong> This neighborhood features quiet family streets close to Riverside Park trails and pond. It also connects to Townview Elementary playgrounds and the Rockton River Market summer gatherings.<\/li>\n<li><b>Near Westside \u2013 Hackett:<\/b> It delivers a suburban sporting charm backing onto the Quarry Park disc golf course. Residents access Hackett Elementary sports fields and annual Beloit International Film Festival screenings for recreation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> It emphasizes manufacturing, food processing, and healthcare, with strong employment in the Janesville-Beloit metro area. Major employers include Regal Beloit for electric motors, Beloit Health System for medical services, and Frito-Lay and Kerry Group for snack food production.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation:<\/strong> Beloit features Riverside Park&#8217;s river trails and pond for family picnics, and hosts the Beloit Sky Carp minor league baseball games at Harry &amp; Jeppe Park. The Rockton River Market hosts weekly summer vendor stalls with live music, while The Beloit International Film Festival hosts film screenings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Illinois Border Taxes:<\/strong> Proximity to Rockford means occasional Illinois sales tax arbitrage trips, but dual-state property tax complexities add administrative burdens for commuters.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Winter Road Salt Damage:<\/strong> Heavy Rock River snowmelt and salt use accelerate vehicle underbody corrosion, increasing maintenance costs for cars in this southern Wisconsin location.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limited Public Transit:<\/strong> Sparse bus routes centered on Beloit Memorial High School force car dependency for Quarry Park access or Rockton River Market visits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"oshkosh\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#7<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Oshkosh<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $222,000<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $1,144<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> 7% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/oshkosh-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Oshkosh, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">6.8<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Oshkosh stands out as an affordable city in Wisconsin, positioned along Lake Winnebago as a hub for the experimental aircraft industry, about 90 minutes from Milwaukee, and home to the EAA AirVenture museum. The city provides a vibrant downtown waterfront with river trails and a university-town energy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Middle Village:<\/strong> It provides a youthful residential vibe with homes near Winnebago County parks. Families like its proximity to schools like Merrill Middle School and EAA AirVenture Museum shuttle routes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Algoma Park:<\/strong> This neighborhood features quiet family streets close to Menominee Park Zoo exhibits. It also connects to Oaklawn Elementary playgrounds and summer Waterfront Mary festival gatherings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fair Acres:<\/strong> This area delivers a suburban charm backing onto Rainbow Park trails and YMCA facilities. Residents can access Traeger Middle School sports fields and the annual Halloween Parade paths.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> The city&#8217;s economy centers on advanced manufacturing and specialty vehicles. Major employers include Oshkosh Corporation for military trucks and fire apparatus, Amcor for rigid packaging solutions, and Winnebago County Mercy Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation:<\/strong> Oshkosh hosts EAA AirVenture each July, drawing aviation enthusiasts for airshows over Wittman Regional Airport. Menominee Park Zoo features native Wisconsin animals and a historic carousel, while the waterfront hosts summer concerts at the Bach Festival stage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Lake Winnebago Flooding:<\/strong> Spring high water levels inundate low-lying parks like Rainbow Park, requiring sandbagging and elevating nearby homeowner insurance rates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bAirport Noise:<\/strong> Wittman Regional Airport&#8217;s EAA AirVenture generates constant low-flying aircraft over Algoma Park for a week each July, disrupting sleep patterns.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cold Lake Effect Snow:<\/strong> Lake Winnebago breezes amplify snowfall totals near Menominee Park Zoo, creating hazardous winter driving conditions from November through March.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limited Dining Variety:<\/strong> Post-9 PM options cluster around campus bars with few upscale restaurants, forcing drives to Appleton for diverse cuisine beyond chain establishments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"marinette\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#8<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Marinette<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $182,000<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $1,450<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> 10% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/marinette-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Marinette, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">6.7<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Marinette delivers affordability at Wisconsin&#8217;s Marinette County edge, near the Menominee River and family hubs like the Rec Center Aquatic Facility. This former logging port blends small-town vibes with short 11-minute commutes and access to Peshtigo River trails for budget-friendly living.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Mather Heights:<\/strong> This neighborhoodprovides a quiet residential vibe with modest single-family homes near Pierce Avenue. Families are attracted to its proximity to top schools, including Marinette High School and Stephenson Island Lighthouse views for fun.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Schmitt Park:<\/strong> It features family-oriented streets close to the namesake park&#8217;s ball fields. It is close to McAllister Elementary playgrounds and summer Rec Center Aquatic Facility programs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Oak Grove:<\/strong> This neighborhood delivers suburban charm backing onto Peshtigo River trail access points. Residents here enjoy events such as the annual City-Wide Fishing Contest, routes, and Ty Kolosso Park disc golf.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> The city&#8217;s economy relies on manufacturing and metal fabrication. Major employers include ChemDesign for custom chemical processing, J.F. Ahern Co. for marine construction components, and Bellin Health Marinette Hospital alongside Marinette Marine for shipbuilding roles.<\/li>\n<li>\u200b<strong>Recreation:<\/strong> Marinette draws crowds to Stephenson Island Lighthouse tours and Peshtigo River outfitting for whitewater rafting trips. The Rec Center Aquatic Facility hosts family swim meets, and the Annual City-Wide Fishing Contest along the Menominee River draws crowds across counties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>PFAS Water Contamination:<\/strong> Marinette Marine&#8217;s Tyco\/Ansul factory contaminated groundwater with dangerous PFAS chemicals, leading to elevated cancer rates and boil-water advisories.<\/li>\n<li>\u200b<strong>Drug and Violence Issues:<\/strong> Contractors at Marinette Marine bring methamphetamine problems and violence to residential areas around Schmitt Park, affecting family safety.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bLimited Youth Activities:<\/strong> Few organized programs exist beyond the Rec Center swims, leaving teens with idle time and contributing to bar scene dominance after school hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"racine\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#9<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Racine<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $218,000<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $1,184<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> 4% \u2b07\ufe0f than the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/racine-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Racine, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">6.7<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Racine blends affordability with Lake Michigan shores in southeastern Wisconsin, just 35 miles south of Milwaukee and steps from Illinois beaches. Western Railway history and short commutes via Highway 20 tie into a diverse, industrial vibe perfect for budget-minded buyers enjoying festivals and lakefront trails.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>West Racine:<\/strong> This area provides a vibrant residential vibe with diverse homes near local eateries and shops like O&amp;H Danish Bakery. Buyers like its proximity to schools like Jerstad-Agerholm School and Mount Pleasant trails.<\/li>\n<li><strong>North Bay:<\/strong> It features family-oriented streets close to amenities such as Douglas Avenue eateries and Starbucks Park playgrounds. It connects to McKinley High School events and summer Lakefront Festival routes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Caledonia:<\/strong> This neighborhood delivers quiet suburban charm backing onto Greentree Centre access and Carthage College views. Residents here can visit the annual Racine Art Museum exhibits and Spring Green Center.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> It centers on manufacturing and household products alongside healthcare and education. Major employers include SC Johnson for cleaning products, Modine Manufacturing for heat transfer systems, Twin Disc for power transmission equipment, and Ascension All Saints Hospital for medicine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRecreation:<\/strong> Racine features historic 1920s carousel rides at North Beach and sandy Lake Michigan shores, perfect for family outings. The Wrapping Art Walk showcases murals annually, while Festival Park hosts summer concerts overlooking the Root River. Racine Zoo displays red pandas and giraffe feedings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Retail Concentration:<\/strong>\u00a0Racine&#8217;s shopping centers cluster around North Side malls with limited independent stores downtown, requiring Milwaukee trips for boutique variety.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bLakefront Property Taxes:<\/strong>\u00a0Lake Michigan proximity elevates premiums for flood and windstorm coverage in West Racine homes near North Beach.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bIndustrial Air Quality:<\/strong>\u00a0SC Johnson and Modine plants contribute occasional odors drifting toward Caledonia during certain wind patterns.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bRush Hour Hwy 20:\u00a0<\/strong>Commuter backups toward Milwaukee create 30-minute delays from festival park exits during peak morning hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"appleton\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"houzoTabBlock houzoTabBlockBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoToptab\"><div class=\"houzeoTabBlockTopRow houzeoTabBlockTopRowBPTLCPTL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"left_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"city_rank\">#10<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"city_name\">Appleton<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"city_rating_list\"><ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Price:<\/strong> $290,000<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Median Home Rent:<\/strong> $1,256<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cost of Living:<\/strong> Same as the state average.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"right_col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/appleton-scaled.webp\" alt=\"Cheapest places to live in Appleton, Wisconsin\" class=\"city_image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopright\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTopRightIn\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ratingStarSingle fiveStar\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoLogoRightCount\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<abbr class=\"fiveStar\">5.6<\/abbr>\/10\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"houzeoRightRatingBox\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoBottomTab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabLabelInnerWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel active\">\ud83d\udca1 Our Take<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83d\udccd Neighborhoods<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel\">\ud83c\udf89 Jobs &amp; Fun<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoLabel \">\ud83d\udea9 Dealbreakers<span class=\"downTringle\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoTabContentWrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeofirstDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><p>Appleton in Wisconsin&#8217;s Fox River Valley offers value near landmarks like the Trout Museum of Art and family spots such as Memorial Park. This vibrant hub supports short 13-minute commutes and employers like Pierce Manufacturing, and also delivers a lively university-town feel via Lawrence University.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>North Meadows:<\/strong> It provides a quiet residential vibe with modest starter homes near the Paper Discovery Center. Buyers are attracted to its proximity to good schools like Appleton North High School and the Memorial Park splash pad.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Emerald Valley:<\/strong> This neighborhood features family-oriented streets close to Xavier High School fields. It is close to Telulah Park trails and the Summer Mile of Music festival routes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bell Heights:<\/strong> This area delivers suburban charm backing onto Erb Park playgrounds and Trout Museum of Art walks. Residents here can access the Lawrence University events and annual farmers market gatheringsvery conviniently.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Job Market:<\/strong> Appleton&#8217;s job market focuses on manufacturing, healthcare, and paper processing in the Fox Cities region. Major employers include Pierce Manufacturing for fire trucks and emergency vehicles, ThedaCare for hospital services, Plexus Corp for electronics, and\u00a0 Fox Valley Technical College.<\/li>\n<li>\u200b<strong>Recreation:<\/strong> The city hosts the Mile of Music festival each July with over 800 performances across 30+ venues downtown. Telulah Park offers Fox River kayaking and hiking trails, while the Trout Museum of Art features traveling exhibits. Memorial Park&#8217;s splash pad and summer farmers market draw families.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"houzeoDescContent houzeoLastDescContent\"><div class=\"contentDesc\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Fox River Flooding:<\/strong> Spring thaws regularly inundate low-lying North Side parks and basements near the Memorial Park splash pad.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bTraffic on College Avenue:<\/strong> Rush hour congestion between Xavier High School and Telulah Park delays commutes by 20+ minutes daily.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u200bHigher Utility Costs:<\/strong> Natural gas heating for Fox Valley winters averages 15% above state norms due to the older housing stock.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limited Late-Night Options:<\/strong> Dining shuts down by midnight outside the university district, requiring Green Bay drives for 24-hour variety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-houzeo-pro-tip-box wp-block-houzeo-grey-text blue-box-content-list pro-tip-blue-box\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"840px\" height=\"450px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pro-tip-icon.png\" alt=\"pro tip icon\" class=\"pro-tip-icon\"\/><p class=\"pro-tip-text\"><strong>Pro Tip<\/strong> <span>If you\u2019re looking for something near the lakeshore, Madison could be a great option. From Willy Street to the East Side, you\u2019ll find a wide range of&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/madison\/cheap-homes-for-sale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">affordable houses in Madison<\/a>&nbsp;with strong rental potential.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-accordion custom-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-accordion-item accordion-item\"><button class=\"accordion-header\"><span class=\"accordion-title\">What is the cheapest and safest place to live in Wisconsin?<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"840px\" height=\"450px\" class=\"accordion-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/flat-fee-mls\/faqArrow.svg\" alt=\"toggle\"\/><\/button><div class=\"accordion-content\">\n<p>Barron (safety score of 100) and Oshkosh (safety score of 84) are the cheapest and&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/safest-places-to-live\/wisconsin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">safest cities in Wisconsin<\/a>. They offer low crime rates, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a lively, welcoming lifestyle.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"cheap-places-to-live-in-wisconsin\"><strong>Top 3 Cheapest Cities to Live in Wisconsin for Young Adults<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When looking for the least expensive city to live in Wisconsin, you want more than just cheap rent. You want good jobs, a fun lifestyle, and a city where you can thrive. These Wisconsin cities deliver all three, with affordable housing and growing job markets.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Rank<\/th><th>City<\/th><th>Why It\u2019s Great for Young Adults<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1.<\/td><td><strong>Oshkosh<\/strong><\/td><td>Oshkosh offers entry-level jobs near the&nbsp;University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, with a low crime rate of 13.8%. Young professionals enjoy the&nbsp;EAA Aviation Museum&nbsp;and Lake Winnebago festivals. Strong growth and&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/oshkosh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homes for sale in Oshkosh<\/a>&nbsp;around $222K make it easier to build wealth here.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2.<\/td><td><strong>Racine<\/strong><\/td><td>Racine, home to manufacturing and cultural hubs like the&nbsp;16th Street Studios Open House, combines jobs with&nbsp;Lake Michigan beaches. Groceries cost 3.9% less nationally, and there\u2019s a <a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/housing-market\/wisconsin\/racine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">35%<\/a> increase in&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/racine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">houses for sale in Racine<\/a>.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.<\/td><td><strong>Prairie Du Chien<\/strong><\/td><td>Prairie Du Chien\u2019s logistics and&nbsp;manufacturing&nbsp;jobs pair with low transport costs (33.7% below the national average).&nbsp;Wyalusing State Park&nbsp;offers hiking, while affordable&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/prairie-du-chien\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homes for sale in Prairie Du Chien<\/a>&nbsp;ensure you don\u2019t spend all your earnings on housing.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"is-wisconsin-cheap\"><strong>Top 3 Inexpensive Places to Live in Wisconsin for Families<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wisconsin appeals to families with its quality schools, safe communities, and low-cost living. These most affordable cities in Wisconsin offer affordable housing alongside excellent family amenities.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Rank<\/th><th>City<\/th><th>Why It&#8217;s Great for Families<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1.<\/td><td><strong>Antigo<\/strong><\/td><td>Families love tree-lined streets, historical sites like the Carnegie Library, and major employers like Kretz Lumber Co. Excellent schools like North Elementary School and pocket-friendly&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/antigo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homes for sale in Antigo<\/a>&nbsp;make this city perfect for raising kids.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2.<\/td><td><strong>Marinette<\/strong><\/td><td>Marinette provides affordable healthcare (4.5% below the national average) and scenic Menominee River views. Free community programs through organizations like NEWCAP and cheap&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/marinette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homes for sale in Marinette<\/a>&nbsp;create a welcoming environment for growing families.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.<\/td><td><strong>Merrill<\/strong><\/td><td>With waterfront homes along the Wisconsin River, fishing, kayaking, and the historic Cosmo Theatre, Merrill offers year-round family fun. Quiet suburban neighborhoods and affordable&nbsp;<a     rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/merrill\">homes for sale in Merrill<\/a>&nbsp;make it ideal for family life.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"cheapest-places-to-live-wisconsin\"><strong>3 Best Affordable Places to Live in Wisconsin for Retirees<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wisconsin offers retirees peaceful communities, affordable healthcare, and abundant outdoor recreation. These cheapest places to retire in Wisconsin provide low-cost living with safe neighborhoods and activities like fishing, hiking, and community events for an active retirement.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Rank<\/th><th>City<\/th><th>Why It&#8217;s Great for Retirees<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1.<\/td><td><strong>Wisconsin Rapids<\/strong><\/td><td>Retirees enjoy the Community Theater, Cranberry Blossom Festival, and peaceful lakefront trails at Nepco Lake and Lake Wazeecha. Affordable&nbsp;homes for sale in Wisconsin Rapids&nbsp;paired with low living costs create a perfect, relaxed retirement.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2.<\/td><td><strong>Wausau<\/strong><\/td><td>Nestled near the Wisconsin River and Rib Mountain State Park, Wausau offers scenic hiking trails and nature access. Northcentral Technical College provides lifelong learning alongside affordable&nbsp;<a     rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/wausau\">homes for sale in Wausau<\/a>&nbsp;for comfortable senior living.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.<\/td><td><strong>Beloit<\/strong><\/td><td>Beloit combines cultural gems like the International Film Festival and Rockton River Market with reliable senior services. The welcoming community atmosphere and affordable&nbsp;<a     rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\/beloit\">homes for sale in Beloit<\/a>&nbsp;make it ideal for active retirees.\u200b<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"is-it-expensive-to-live-in-wisconsin\"><strong>3 Hidden Costs to Consider in Wisconsin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even in Wisconsin&#8217;s cheapest cities, home prices tell only part of the story. Winter storms, property taxes, and utility spikes impact your true cost of living. Factor these into your budget when choosing affordable areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Winter Storm Insurance:<\/strong>&nbsp;After recent severe weather events, homeowners face higher premiums for wind\/hail coverage, averaging $1,800\u2013$3,500 yearly. Northern cities like Antigo and Marinette typically see lower rates than tornado-prone southern areas.\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flood Insurance:<\/strong>&nbsp;Standard policies exclude river and lake flooding common along the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers.&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.fema.gov\/flood-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">FEMA&#8217;s NFIP<\/a>&nbsp;or private plans average $1,200\u2013$2,500 annually, with Risk Rating 2.0 driving 15-20% yearly increases in flood zones.\u200b<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Property Taxes:<\/strong>&nbsp;Wisconsin&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/property-tax\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">property taxes<\/a>&nbsp;average 1.53%\u20131.85% of assessed value among the nation&#8217;s highest, varying significantly by city and school district, adding thousands to annual ownership costs.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-houzeo-pro-tip-box wp-block-houzeo-grey-text blue-box-content-list pro-tip-blue-box\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"840px\" height=\"450px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pro-tip-icon.png\" alt=\"pro tip icon\" class=\"pro-tip-icon\"\/><p class=\"pro-tip-text\"><strong>Quick Tip<\/strong> <span>Wisconsin&#8217;s Homestead Exemption&nbsp;protects up to&nbsp;$75,000 of home equity&nbsp;for single individuals and&nbsp;$150,000 for married couples&nbsp;filing jointly from certain creditors. However, it does not apply to second homes or investment properties.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"is-wisconsin-expensive-to-live-in\"><strong>Savings Breakdown: Cheapest Cities in Wisconsin to Live In<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Housing costs vary dramatically across Wisconsin. Antigo residents save $1,847 monthly compared to Madison and $423 compared to Elkhorn. The following table breaks down these savings by median home price, monthly mortgage, property tax, insurance, and total monthly costs.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>City<\/th><th>Median Home Price<\/th><th>Avg. Monthly Mortgage<\/th><th>Insurance\/taxes<\/th><th>Estimated Monthly Cost for a Single Person<\/th><th>Monthly Savings vs. Madison<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Antigo<\/strong><\/td><td>$154,000<\/td><td>$987<\/td><td>$298<\/td><td>$1,168<\/td><td>$1,847<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Elkhorn<\/strong><\/td><td>$290,000<\/td><td>$1,860<\/td><td>$456<\/td><td>$2,168<\/td><td>$847<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Madison<\/strong><\/td><td>$380,000<\/td><td>$2,437<\/td><td>$598<\/td><td>$3,015<\/td><td>\u2013<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source:&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.expatistan.com\/cost-of-living\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Expatistan<\/a><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"wisconsin-affordable-housing\"><strong>Affordable Living Beyond Wisconsin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not sure if the cheapest places in Wisconsin to live will fit your budget? Here are neighboring states that offer strong job markets with Fortune 500 companies, top-ranked education systems, and excellent healthcare access, just like Wisconsin.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"cheapest-places-to-rent-in-wisconsin\"><strong>Robust<\/strong> <strong>Jobs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Illinois&nbsp;ranks #2 nationally with 32 Fortune 500 companies and booming healthcare\/tech sectors. Top 3&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/cheapest-places-to-live-in-illinois\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheapest places to live in Illinois<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Decatur: <\/strong>It offers homes around $120,000 and rent under $900 with a strong manufacturing community near ADM headquarters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Danville: <\/strong>It provides homes around $110,000 and rent from $750, with healthcare and education jobs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rockford: <\/strong>It features homes near $140,000 and rent from $950, with industrial jobs and proximity to Chicago.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"is-wisconsin-cheap-to-live\"><strong>Strong Education<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Minnesota&nbsp;boasts a #1-ranked K-12 system nationally and the University of Minnesota. Top 3&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/cheapest-places-to-live-in-minnesota\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheapest places to live in Minnesota<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mankato:<\/strong> It offers homes around $250,000 and rent near $1,100 with Mayo Clinic jobs and Minnesota State University.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Worthington:<\/strong> It provides homes around $190,000 and rents near $900 as an agricultural processing hub.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winona:<\/strong> It features homes from $220,000 and rent $950\u2013$1,200 with a thriving education sector at Winona State University education hub.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"cheapest-place-to-buy-a-house-in-wisconsin\"><strong>Accessible Healthcare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Michigan&nbsp;offers 90% insurance coverage with Henry Ford Health excellence. Top 3&nbsp;<a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/cheapest-places-to-live-in-michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheapest places to live in Michigan<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Muskegon: <\/strong>It provides homes around $180,000 and rent from $1,000 with Lake Michigan healthcare access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jackson:<\/strong> It offers homes around $165,000 and rent from $950, with proximity to major medical centers like Henry Ford Health System.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Battle Creek: <\/strong>It features homes around $170,000 and rent from $975, with family-friendly medical services and Bronson Healthcare nearby.\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-houzeo-pro-tip-box wp-block-houzeo-grey-text blue-box-content-list pro-tip-blue-box\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"840px\" height=\"450px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pro-tip-icon.png\" alt=\"pro tip icon\" class=\"pro-tip-icon\"\/><p class=\"pro-tip-text\"><strong><strong>Want to cast a wider net?<\/strong> <\/strong> <span>Beyond Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan, explore the <a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/cheapest-places-to-live\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheapest places to live in the US<\/a> where your dollar stretches even further.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-25\" id=\"is-wisconsin-affordable\"><strong>Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Wisconsin?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Antigo, Wisconsin Rapids, and Merrill are the most affordable cities to live in Wisconsin. These areas offer more than low prices; they also provide steady job markets, plenty of recreation, and a cost of living 20% lower than the state average.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a     href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/moving-to-wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moving to Wisconsin<\/a>&nbsp;also offers new opportunities, a good quality of life, and friendly communities. Whether you&#8217;re relocating or buying your first home, you can browse listings, compare prices, and make offers online.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div  class=\"hfsWidget \" data-widget-title=\"Find your dream home in Wisconsin now \ud83c\udfde\ufe0f\" data-widget-list-item1=\"1st item\" data-widget-list-item2=\"2nd item\" data-widget-list-item3=\"3rd item\" data-widget-type=\"buyer1\" data-widget-vendor-type=\"inspector\" data-widget-state=\"wi\" data-widget-city=\"\" data-widget-redirect-url=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\" data-widget-redirect-text=\"Homes for sale in Wisconsin\" data-widget-button-url=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\" data-widget-button-text=\"\" data-widget-min-price=\"0\" data-widget-max-price=\"0\" data-widget-min-area=\"0\" data-widget-max-area=\"0\" data-widget-sidebar=\"false\">\n        <div class=\"widgetMainBox mainBox456\">\n        <div class=\"widgetBox widgetBox3 buyer-one\">\n            <div class=\"widgetTop\" style=\"display: flex;\">\n                <div class=\"widgetTopcont\">\n                    <div class=\"homePageQuickListing -page homepage widgetInBox3 hfs_new_design_widget\">\n                      <div class=\"HeaderTopSidebar\"> \n                        <p class=\"headerStyle\">Find your dream home in Wisconsin now \ud83c\udfde\ufe0f<\/p>\n                                                                         <div class=\"widgetList skeleton skeleton-text\">\n                            <p>View 28,102 homes for sale in <span\n                            class=\"propertyStateSpan\">WI<\/span><\/p>                            \n                        <\/div>\n                                                                      <\/div>  \n                        <div class=\"verifyFieldForm addInput\">\n                            <div class=\"inputSearchBox\">\n                                <div class=\"inputBoxElement addressBar\">\n                                    <input type=\"text\" name=\"ITBTtRE\" id=\"buyerAutocomplete\"\n                                        placeholder=\"Enter an address, city, neighborhood, or ZIP\"\n                                        class=\"pac-target-input buyerAutocomplete\" autocomplete=\"off\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <span class=\"errorStreetMsg errorMsg\">Please enter valid address<\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n                            \n                            <div class=\"inputSubmitBox\">\n                                                                <button id=\"buyerBtnBox456\" class=\"continueCta storeAddress next_btn buyerBtnBox\">Search\n                                    <span class=\"arrowContinue\"><\/span><\/button>\n                            <\/div>\n                        \n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"widgetInsideBox\">\n                <div class=\"widgetPropertyBoxNew\" id=\"propertyContainer\">\n                <div class=\"widgetPropertyInnerBox\">   \n                 \t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetPropColumnNew halfWidthCard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes\/9-elliott-street-street-janesville-wi-53546\/hzid_7007f5cb\" class=\"widgetAnchorColumnLink\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetImageBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.houzeo.com\/idx\/media\/wirexmwir\/715364560700\/715364560700_1.webp\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/seller\/listing\/uploads\/listing_images\/thumbnails\/empty-property.jpg';\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/idx\/wirex_logo-xs.webp\" alt=\"logo\" class=\"insideWidgetLogo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetTextBox\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <p class=\"priceText\">$259,900<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <span class=\"addressText\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9 elliott street street, <br\/>janesville, WI 53546\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"suummarize-info grey-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/blog\/blog-info-gray.svg\" alt=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"voult-tooltip-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fz-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tListing Provided by:  Keller Williams Realty Signature <br>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSource: WIREX | MLS#: 2023392<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetPropColumnNew halfWidthCard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes\/6528-w-north-avenue-avenue-wauwatosa-wi-53213\/hzid_3c0125af\" class=\"widgetAnchorColumnLink\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetImageBox\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.houzeo.com\/idx\/media\/wirexmwir\/714660043600\/714660043600_1.webp\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.src='https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/seller\/listing\/uploads\/listing_images\/thumbnails\/empty-property.jpg';\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/idx\/wirex_logo-xs.webp\" alt=\"logo\" class=\"insideWidgetLogo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <div class=\"widgetTextBox\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <p class=\"priceText\">$629,900<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <span class=\"addressText\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6528 w north avenue avenue, <br\/>wauwatosa, WI 53213\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"suummarize-info grey-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dtpwvruv8ddnl.cloudfront.net\/images\/blog\/blog-info-gray.svg\" alt=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"voult-tooltip-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"fz-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tListing Provided by:  Forward Realty Partners <br>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSource: WIREX | MLS#: 1951373<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t   <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t                        <div class=\"widgetPropColumnNew fullWidthCard \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/wisconsin\" class=\"widgetanctextfind widgetancTextForAll\" target=\"_blank\">Homes for sale in Wisconsin<span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/houzeo-media-1.s3.amazonaws.com\/homes-for-sale\/blue-arrow.svg\" alt=\"arrow\" width=\"11\" height=\"10\"><\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n                   <\/div>   \n               \n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n       \n    <\/div>\n\t<script>\n    document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() {        \n        if (!window.assetsLoaded) {\n            window.assetsLoaded = true;\n            var version = (typeof customData !== 'undefined' && customData.customVersion) ? customData.customVersion : '1.0';\n            loadScript('\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/houzeo-new-design\/js\/hfs-widget.js?version=' + version);\n            loadCSS('\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/houzeo-new-design\/css\/hfs-widget.css?version=' + version);\n        }    \n    });\n\t\t\n\t<\/script>\n\t\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"FAQs\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-faq-schema-wrap wp-faq-schema-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-faq-schema-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ui-accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere is the cheapest place to live in Wisconsin?\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ui-accordion-header-icon ui-icon ui-icon-triangle-1-s\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ui-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The cheapest place to live in Wisconsin is <a href=\"#antigo\">Antigo<\/a>. It offers affordable housing at a median sale price of 154K.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00bb <a href=\"#cheapest-wi-cities\">10 Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin<\/a>:<\/strong> Find out the other affordable places to live in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ui-accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere is the best place to live in Wisconsin?\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ui-accordion-header-icon ui-icon ui-icon-triangle-1-s\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ui-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-wisconsin\" target=\"_blank\">best place to live in Wisconsin<\/a> is Eau Claire, followed by Green Bay, Brookfield, Racine, La Crosse, Appleton, and Madison.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ui-accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are the living expenses in Wisconsin?\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ui-accordion-header-icon ui-icon ui-icon-triangle-1-s\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ui-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The average cost to live in Wisconsin is the same as the national average. However, utilities are 2% lower than the national average.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ui-accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere is the best place to retire in Wisconsin on a budget?\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ui-accordion-header-icon ui-icon ui-icon-triangle-1-s\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ui-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, and Beloit are among the <a href=\"#cheapest-places-to-live-wisconsin\">best places to retire in Wisconsin<\/a> on a budget. They offer affordable housing, small-town comfort, and easy access to medical care.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ui-accordion-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhich cities have the cheapest cost of living in Wisconsin?\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ui-accordion-header-icon ui-icon ui-icon-triangle-1-s\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ui-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"#antigo\">Antigo<\/a> (77) and <a href=\"#merrill\">Merrill<\/a> (79) have the cheapest cost of living in Wisconsin. Antigo's cost of living is 23% below the average, while Merrill's is 21% lower. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"new-excerpt\"><p class=\"small-desc\">Here are the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin: 1. Antigo 2. Beloit 3. Marinette 4. Racine 5. Prairie Du Chien 6. Merrill 7. Wisconsin...<\/p><\/div><div class=\"reading_date\"><span class=\"readtime\">10 mins read<\/span><span class=\"date\">Jun 02, 2026<\/span><\/div>","protected":false},"author":247,"featured_media":505825,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46225,46263],"tags":[49707,49705,49706,49708,49709],"class_list":["post-460360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buyer","category-cheapest-places-to-live","tag-affordable-housing-wisconsin","tag-cheap-houses-in-wisconsin","tag-cheapest-rent-in-wisconsin","tag-how-expensive-is-it-to-live-in-wisconsin","tag-is-wisconsin-cheap-to-live-in"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>10 Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin (2026 Updates)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here are the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin: 1. Antigo 2. Wisconsin Rapids 3. Merrill 4. Prairie du Chien 5. Wausau 6. Beloit 7. Oshkosh...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/cheapest-places-to-live-in-wisconsin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin (2026 Updates)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here are the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin: 1. Antigo 2. Wisconsin Rapids 3. Merrill 4. Prairie du Chien 5. Wausau 6. Beloit 7. 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