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Stevens Point-Plover, WI

Cost of living in Portage County, WI

Estimated monthly cost
$2,773/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 70,375 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $794 29%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $479 17%
Groceries $329 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $179 6%
State tax $142 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Portage County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$706
per month
1 bedroom
$794
per month
2 bedroom
$1,029
per month
3 bedroom
$1,240
per month
4 bedroom
$1,388
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Portage County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$73,284
per year
Individual earnings
$39,360
per year
Per capita
$39,476
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Portage County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$230,400
Annual property tax
$3,396

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Portage County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$121
per month · 17.3¢/kWh
Natural gas
$58
per month
Annual total
$2,148
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Portage County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Portage County

State and local tax rates for Wisconsin.

State income tax
7.7%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.0%
Combined sales tax
5.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Portage County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.5 min
Drive alone
74.1%
Public transit
0.4%
Work from home
11.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Portage County

What it costs to live in Portage County each month.

Single person
$2,773
per month
  • Rent $794
  • Energy $179
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $329
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $479
  • State tax $142
Couple
$4,293
per month
  • Rent $1,029
  • Energy $215
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $545
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $869
  • State tax $291
Family
$6,635
per month
  • Rent $1,240
  • Energy $268
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $827
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $869
  • State tax $291

Frequently asked questions about Portage County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Portage County?

In Portage County, WI, a one-bedroom apartment averages $794 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,029 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,240 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Portage County?

In Portage County, WI, the average household income is $73,284 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,360 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Portage County?

The estimated cost of living in Portage County, WI is approximately $2,773 per month for a single person, $4,293 for a couple, $6,635 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Portage County?

The combined sales tax rate in Portage County, WI is 5.44%, which includes the Wisconsin state rate of 5.00% plus an average local rate of 0.44%.

Is Portage County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Portage County, WI would need approximately $2,773 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $73,284 per year ($6,107 per month). Portage County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Portage County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Portage County, WI is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Portage County?

The average home value in Portage County, WI is $230,400, with average annual property taxes of $3,396, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Portage County compare to other areas?

You can compare Portage County, WI with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Portage County is in the Stevens Point-Plover, WI metro area.

Other counties in Wisconsin

Browse the full list of counties in Wisconsin, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Wisconsin

Compare Portage County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources