salaryRent is higher than in 70% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 93% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Most homes (83.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 81.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $80,560 a year. That is $39 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 149 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Whitefish Bay?
Share of households by yearly income. 62.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Whitefish Bay
| Size | Whitefish Bay | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,312 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,577 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,452 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Whitefish Bay 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 Whitefish Bay, so the Wisconsin figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Whitefish Bay
Life in Whitefish Bay
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Whitefish Bay?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,690 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $533,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $53,380 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Whitefish Bay, WI?
Renting in Whitefish Bay costs a median of about $2,014 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Whitefish Bay?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $80,560 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Whitefish Bay cheap or expensive?
Whitefish Bay is rated Cheap: rent takes 14.3% of the typical household income of $169,442. It ranks 149th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Whitefish Bay?
The median homeowner in Whitefish Bay pays $9,156 a year in property taxes, about 1.72% of the median home value.
Is Whitefish Bay 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 Whitefish Bay?
The median home value in Whitefish Bay is $533,800, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
14,665 people live in Whitefish Bay. Numbers are typical (middle) values.