salaryRent is higher than in 85% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 93% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.2 minutes. Most homes (88.5%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 74.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $99,520 a year. That is $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 156 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Elm Grove?
Share of households by yearly income. 62.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Elm Grove
| Size | Elm Grove | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,857 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,858 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,666 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Elm Grove overall?
Everyday prices in Wisconsin overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Elm Grove, so the Wisconsin figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Elm Grove
Life in Elm Grove
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Elm Grove?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,053 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $510,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $51,040 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Elm Grove, WI?
Renting in Elm Grove costs a median of about $2,488 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Elm Grove?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $99,520 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Elm Grove cheap or expensive?
Elm Grove is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.5% of the typical household income of $170,420. It ranks 156th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Elm Grove?
The median homeowner in Elm Grove pays $7,245 a year in property taxes, about 1.42% of the median home value.
Is Elm Grove more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Wisconsin are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Elm Grove?
The median home value in Elm Grove is $510,400, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
6,459 people live in Elm Grove. Numbers are typical (middle) values.