Price County scores 69.2—38 points above the national median of 50.0—placing it firmly in the upper tier of U.S. counties. This strong score reflects exceptional affordability and low-cost living for rural Wisconsin.
2 / 5
Among Wisconsin's best-scoring counties
Price County's 69.2 exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 65.6 by 3.6 points, ranking it in the top third of the state's 72 counties. Few Wisconsin counties deliver comparable overall livability.
3 / 5
Unbeatable affordability and cost metrics
Price County's cost score of 82.3 is the highest in this group, with median home values of just $146,000 and rent at $801/month. The county offers some of Wisconsin's most affordable housing, making it exceptional for budget-focused households.
4 / 5
Low incomes constrain household wealth
The income score of 21.7 is the lowest in this entire group, with median household income at $58,720. Limited earning potential reflects the rural economy's constraints on career growth and wealth accumulation.
5 / 5
Perfect for retirees and cost-minimizers
Price County is ideal for retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families seeking ultra-low cost of living without requiring high local wages. It trades income potential for exceptional affordability and rural lifestyle appeal.
Price County scores 69.2—38 points above the national median of 50.0—placing it firmly in the upper tier of U.S. counties. This strong score reflects exceptional affordability and low-cost living for rural Wisconsin.
Among Wisconsin's best-scoring counties
Price County's 69.2 exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 65.6 by 3.6 points, ranking it in the top third of the state's 72 counties. Few Wisconsin counties deliver comparable overall livability.
Unbeatable affordability and cost metrics
Price County's cost score of 82.3 is the highest in this group, with median home values of just $146,000 and rent at $801/month. The county offers some of Wisconsin's most affordable housing, making it exceptional for budget-focused households.
Low incomes constrain household wealth
The income score of 21.7 is the lowest in this entire group, with median household income at $58,720. Limited earning potential reflects the rural economy's constraints on career growth and wealth accumulation.
Perfect for retirees and cost-minimizers
Price County is ideal for retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families seeking ultra-low cost of living without requiring high local wages. It trades income potential for exceptional affordability and rural lifestyle appeal.
Score breakdown
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🏛61.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.445%, Price County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 1.700%, placing it firmly in the middle tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,110 reflects the county's lower home values rather than exceptionally low rates.
Slightly above Wisconsin's average rate
Price County's effective rate of 1.445% runs just 0.9% above Wisconsin's average of 1.436%, making it essentially typical for the state. Residents pay $2,110 in median annual property taxes, about $971 below the state median.
Moderate among northern Wisconsin counties
Price County's 1.445% rate falls between Polk County (1.222%) and Portage County (1.474%), making it competitive regionally. Rusk County's 1.207% remains lower, but Price County undercuts several other northern peers.
Annual tax bill averages just $2,110
A typical Price County home valued at $146,000 carries an annual property tax of $2,110—among the lowest in the state due to modest home values. Those with mortgages pay $2,211, while mortgage-free owners average $2,027.
Challenge your assessment if needed
Even in a relatively affordable county like Price, individual homes can be overassessed. Homeowners should verify their assessed value matches recent comparable sales and file appeals during the designated review period if discrepancies exist.
Price County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% significantly exceeds both the national average and Wisconsin's state average of 14.9%. With a median household income of just $58,720—21.4% below the U.S. average—housing costs consume a larger share of household budgets here.
Price ranks among Wisconsin's least affordable
At 16.4%, Price County ranks among the state's least affordable counties, with housing costs eating into household budgets more than the 14.9% state average. The county's below-average median income of $58,720 compounds affordability challenges despite modest home values of $146,000.
Price offers lowest rents in the region
Price County's median rent of $801/month represents the lowest in the area, offering relief compared to larger counties. However, the rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% remains higher than neighbors because local incomes are significantly lower.
Housing dominates household budgets here
Renters spend $801/month on housing while homeowners pay $772/month—among Wisconsin's lowest absolute costs. Yet with a median income of $58,720, housing consumes 16.4% of renters' budgets, straining finances compared to state and national averages.
Price works only for lowest-cost seekers
Price County offers the lowest nominal housing costs in this comparison, but the high rent-to-income ratio signals real affordability strain. Consider relocating here only if you prioritize absolute lowest rents over financial comfort, or if local employment opportunities offset housing cost burdens.
Price County's median household income of $58,720 trails the national median of $74,755 by 21.5%. The county faces an earnings gap that affects housing, savings, and overall household financial security.
Below-average for Wisconsin
At $58,720, Price County falls $13,005 short of Wisconsin's state median of $71,715. This positions Price in the lower third of Wisconsin's 72 counties, indicating economic pressures compared to state averages.
Struggling alongside peers
Price County's $58,720 median closely mirrors Rusk County ($58,322), both among the region's lowest earners. Polk County ($76,208) outearns Price by 29.7%, highlighting income disparities within northwest Wisconsin.
Rent pressures are real
Price County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% pushes toward affordability strain compared to healthier thresholds of 14-15%. A median home value of $146,000 offers some relief, but lower incomes create meaningful household budget constraints.
Start small, build steady
At $35,095 per capita, Price County households face tighter financial margins; focus first on stable emergency savings before investing. Even modest contributions to low-cost index funds or retirement accounts compound over time—consistency matters more than starting large.
At 78.4 years, Price County residents live 0.6 years above the national average, though 16.1% report poor or fair health—roughly in line with U.S. norms. This modest health profile masks significant challenges in healthcare infrastructure for a rural county.
Slightly above Wisconsin average
Price County's 78.4-year life expectancy edges 0.6 years above Wisconsin's 77.8-year average, while its 7.1% uninsured rate matches the state norm. Despite holding health metrics steady, the county's provider infrastructure lags significantly behind state peers.
Facing rural healthcare challenge
Price County's 14 primary care providers per 100K is dramatically lower than Polk County (79 per 100K) and Sauk County (101 per 100K), ranking it as the most provider-sparse county in the region. Mental health provider availability at 99 per 100K also trails peers, suggesting residents travel long distances for specialty care.
Rural isolation compounds care access
With only 14 primary care providers per 100K, Price County residents often drive 30+ minutes for routine checkups, delaying preventive care and early interventions. The 7.1% uninsured rate affects roughly 1,400 residents, many of whom lack means to travel for distant, more costly emergency services.
Coverage matters in remote areas
In rural Price County, health insurance isn't just important—it's essential when emergency care means a long drive to the nearest hospital. If you're uninsured, contact a local health department or visit HealthCare.gov to enroll in Wisconsin Medicaid, which often covers telehealth services ideal for remote communities.
With a composite risk score of just 32.32 and a Very Low rating, Price County ranks among the safest counties nationally for natural disaster exposure. This low-risk profile gives residents a significant advantage in terms of both disaster frequency and severity.
Wisconsin's least risky county
Price County's 32.32 score falls far below Wisconsin's 59.08 state average, making it the safest county in the state by this measure. Its position in northern Wisconsin contributes to lower exposure to tornadoes, earthquakes, and storms compared to the state's southern regions.
Safest among surrounding counties
Price County's very low risk of 32.32 significantly outpaces all nearby counties, including Rusk County (37.28) and Portage County (62.72). This makes Price County an exceptional refuge from natural disasters within its region.
Minimal but monitor flood risk
Price County's greatest hazard is modest flood risk at 38.68, with tornado (34.32) and wildfire (13.71) risks remaining very low. Even the county's highest-risk hazard ranks well below state and national averages, reflecting genuinely limited disaster exposure.
Standard insurance suffices here
Price County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Still, maintain basic emergency supplies and stay informed about severe weather—complacency, not risk, is the real danger in safe areas.