salaryRacine is the 5th-largest city in Wisconsin that we track, with 77,633 residents. Rent is lower than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,720 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 55 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Racine?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Racine
| Size | Racine | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,151 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $826 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,127 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,329 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,652 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Racine overall?
Everyday prices in the Racine-Mount Pleasant metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Racine
Life in Racine
What jobs pay in Racine
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $144,090 | 9.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,290 | 10.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,600 | 10.9% |
| Lawyer | $106,900 | 13.4% |
| Operations Manager | $106,740 | 13.4% |
| Software Developer | $101,220 | 14.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,310 | 15.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,390 | 15.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,340 | 15.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $89,090 | 16.1% |
| Electrician | $82,510 | 17.4% |
| Police Officer | $77,840 | 18.4% |
| Accountant | $77,520 | 18.5% |
| Plumber | $77,070 | 18.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $70,660 | 20.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,850 | 22.1% |
| Firefighter | $63,590 | 22.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,740 | 23.2% |
| Carpenter | $60,920 | 23.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,840 | 23.5% |
| Truck Driver | $59,790 | 23.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,480 | 28.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,790 | 30.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,710 | 31.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,430 | 31.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,800 | 40.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,970 | 46.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,020 | 47.7% |
| Cashier | $29,970 | 47.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Racine?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $38 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $166,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,650 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Racine, WI?
Renting in Racine costs a median of about $1,193 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Racine?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,720 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Racine cheap or expensive?
Racine is rated OK: rent takes 23.0% of the typical household income of $62,273. It ranks 55th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Racine?
The median homeowner in Racine pays $3,607 a year in property taxes, about 2.17% of the median home value.
Is Racine more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Racine?
The median home value in Racine is $166,500, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
77,633 people live in Racine. Numbers are typical (middle) values.