What Is the Cost of Living in Wausau, Wisconsin? A Home‑Builder’s Perspective from Jones & Jones
Are you considering life in Wausau, Wisconsin — perhaps building a custom home or relocating your family? At Jones & Jones Custom Home Builders, we help clients every day understand not just the cost to build, but the overall cost of living in the area. Below is a breakdown of what you’re likely to spend, how Wausau stacks up nationally, and how choosing to build a custom home with us can play into your long‑term budget.
1. How Affordable Is Wausau?
Overall Cost of Living Comparisons
According to one source, Wausau’s cost of living index is 87, compared to a U.S. average of 100. This means Wausau is ~13% less expensive than the U.S. average.
Another data point: Wausau is ~6% lower than the national average.
What this means for you: In many respects, Wausau offers a more affordable lifestyle compared to many U.S. cities, especially when you compare major metro areas.
2. Major Cost Components You Should Know
Here’s a breakdown of key expense categories in Wausau — useful for budgeting or deciding whether building custom makes sense.
Housing (Buying & Renting)
Housing is a major driver. One report shows a housing cost index of ~65 in Wausau (vs. 100 national) — meaning housing is significantly cheaper.
Home values: According to Zillow, average home value in Wausau is about $236,111, up ~6.1% over the past year.
Rent: One source reports median rent around $995/month (all bedroom counts) as of October 2025.
RentCafe shows average home price ~ $413,214 and average rent ~$1,139/month, with housing ~25% cheaper than U.S. average.
Implication for custom home building: If you build your own home, you’ll sidestep rising rents and potentially get much better value, especially with a local custom builder who understands the market like Jones & Jones does.
Utilities & Services
Utilities in Wausau are slightly higher than average: for example one source says utilities ~4% higher than national average.
Another shows utilities index at ~88 relative to national = slightly less than average.
Grocery costs: generally ~1% lower or similar to national average.
Healthcare, Transportation & Miscellaneous
Healthcare: According to HomeSnacks, health index is ~120 in Wausau (vs 100 national) — meaning healthcare costs may be somewhat higher.
Transportation: One report shows fuel, automotive costs are slightly lower than national average.
3. What Income Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Wausau?
A study from MIT (via local reporting) estimates a single adult should earn ~$42,586 annually in Wausau to cover necessities, discretionary spending, and some saving.
For a family of four (two working adults) that study suggests ~$108,816.
Median household income in Wausau is around ~$61,877 (RentCafe) according to recent data.
What to keep in mind: Even though Wausau is relatively affordable, building in savings and planning for higher‑cost items (like custom home building) is wise.
4. Why Building a Custom Home in Wausau Makes Financial Sense
As a custom home builder in the Wausau area, Jones & Jones sees the advantages first‑hand:
Better value for your dollar: With lower housing cost baseline, you can allocate more budget toward quality materials, craftsmanship, and design, rather than just land price or inflated rental costs.
Customization equals long‑term savings: By working with us, you can include energy‑efficient systems, proper insulation, and design features that reduce your utility or maintenance costs over time.
Buying versus renting: With average rents under $1,200/month and home values still modest compared to some U.S. metros, investing in a custom build now can pay off in equity and lifestyle.
Local knowledge & network: Jones & Jones knows the Wausau market, from local permit processes to contractor networks and local material supply, which helps avoid costly surprises.
5. Tips to Manage Cost of Living While Building Your Home
Here are some smart strategies:
Choose your lot wisely: Consider land outside the immediate city center where lot costs may be lower, but still accessible.
Plan for utilities & efficiency: With utilities somewhat above average, investing in efficient HVAC, good insulation, and smart design helps.
Budget realistic build costs: While housing values are modest, custom builds still require quality materials and labor — align your budget accordingly with a reputable builder.
Factor in long‑term costs: Maintenance, taxes, insurance, utilities — do the numbers ahead of time.
Look ahead to resale value: Even if this is your forever home, building with good materials and a smart layout preserves value if life changes.
6. Why Choose Jones & Jones
When you decide to build in Wausau, here’s how we stand out:
Local expertise: We’re based in Wausau, understand the region, its building codes, climate (say hello to Wisconsin winters), and materials best suited for the area.
Transparent budgeting: From the beginning, we walk you through cost breakdowns, so you’re clear on where your dollars are going.
Quality craftsmanship: We don’t compromise on quality, which helps control long‑term cost of ownership.
Design collaboration: We work with you on efficient, aesthetic, and functional designs; letting you balance budget and dream features.
If you’re curious about how much it would cost to design and build your custom home here in Wausau (given the local cost‑of‑living landscape), we’d love to talk.
7. Final Thoughts
In summary:
Wausau offers a cost‑of‑living environment that is below the U.S. average, especially when it comes to housing.
Certain costs (healthcare, utilities) are slightly higher, so good planning helps.
Building a custom home through a local builder like Jones & Jones allows you to take advantage of the affordability while investing wisely for the future.
With the right strategy, you can build a home that fits your lifestyle, budget, and long‑term goals in Wausau.
If you're thinking about moving to Wausau or building a custom home, let’s schedule a free consultation. We can walk through your vision, budget, and show you how staying local with a builder like Jones & Jones can make a big difference.
