salaryRent is lower than in 79% 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 15.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,240 a year. That is $22 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 51 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Wausau?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wausau
| Size | Wausau | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $760 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $827 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,167 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,306 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,461 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wausau overall?
Everyday prices in the Wausau metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Wausau
Life in Wausau
What jobs pay in Wausau
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | 9.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,980 | 10.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,720 | 10.7% |
| Operations Manager | $107,550 | 12.9% |
| Lawyer | $106,290 | 13.1% |
| Software Developer | $98,650 | 14.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $89,190 | 15.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $87,470 | 15.9% |
| Plumber | $86,750 | 16.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $85,790 | 16.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $82,720 | 16.8% |
| Electrician | $78,680 | 17.6% |
| Police Officer | $78,150 | 17.8% |
| Accountant | $77,680 | 17.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,060 | 21.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,360 | 23.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,500 | 23.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,110 | 23.5% |
| Truck Driver | $58,520 | 23.7% |
| Carpenter | $49,990 | 27.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,870 | 29.0% |
| Firefighter | $46,820 | 29.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,260 | 30.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,660 | 31.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,460 | 31.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,180 | 38.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,160 | 40.6% |
| Cashier | $30,480 | 45.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,060 | 47.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wausau?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $9 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $167,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,790 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wausau, WI?
Renting in Wausau costs a median of about $1,156 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Wausau?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,240 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wausau cheap or expensive?
Wausau is rated Cheap: rent takes 20.0% of the typical household income of $69,444. It ranks 51st cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wausau?
The median homeowner in Wausau pays $3,127 a year in property taxes, about 1.86% of the median home value.
Is Wausau more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Wausau?
The median home value in Wausau is $167,900, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.
39,996 people live in Wausau. Numbers are typical (middle) values.