Rusk County scores 69.2—19 points above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This strong score reflects exceptional affordability and low cost-of-living in rural northern Wisconsin.
2 / 5
Among Wisconsin's top-scoring counties
Rusk's 69.2 exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 65.6 by 3.6 points, tying it with Price County as the highest scorer in this eight-county group. It ranks in the top tier statewide.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and exceptional affordability
Rusk County's tax score of 68.3 (1.207% effective rate) and cost score of 81.2 deliver unmatched tax and housing relief, with median home values of $152,000 and rent at $816/month. Few Wisconsin communities offer better value.
4 / 5
Sparse incomes and moderate health metrics
The income score of 21.5 is the lowest in this group, with median household income at $58,322, limiting wealth-building opportunities. Health outcomes (72.2) are also slightly below peers.
5 / 5
Unbeatable for budget-first households
Rusk County is exceptional for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families optimizing for lowest tax burden and housing costs. It trades limited income opportunity for Wisconsin's most tax-friendly and affordable living environment.
Rusk County scores 69.2—19 points above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This strong score reflects exceptional affordability and low cost-of-living in rural northern Wisconsin.
Among Wisconsin's top-scoring counties
Rusk's 69.2 exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 65.6 by 3.6 points, tying it with Price County as the highest scorer in this eight-county group. It ranks in the top tier statewide.
Lowest taxes and exceptional affordability
Rusk County's tax score of 68.3 (1.207% effective rate) and cost score of 81.2 deliver unmatched tax and housing relief, with median home values of $152,000 and rent at $816/month. Few Wisconsin communities offer better value.
Sparse incomes and moderate health metrics
The income score of 21.5 is the lowest in this group, with median household income at $58,322, limiting wealth-building opportunities. Health outcomes (72.2) are also slightly below peers.
Unbeatable for budget-first households
Rusk County is exceptional for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families optimizing for lowest tax burden and housing costs. It trades limited income opportunity for Wisconsin's most tax-friendly and affordable living environment.
Score breakdown
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🏛68.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.207%, Rusk County's effective tax rate ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, sitting well below the 1.700% national median. The median property tax of $1,834 reflects both modest home values and exceptionally favorable rates.
Wisconsin's most affordable county
Rusk County's 1.207% effective rate runs about 16% below Wisconsin's 1.436% average—the lowest rate in this analysis. Homeowners pay just $1,834 in median annual property taxes, saving roughly $1,247 compared to the state median.
Clear winner among northern counties
Rusk County's 1.207% rate beats all regional peers decisively, outdoing Polk County (1.222%), Portage County (1.474%), and Price County (1.445%). It stands as a genuine tax advantage in northern Wisconsin.
Lowest annual tax bill in dataset
A typical Rusk County home valued at $152,000 carries just $1,834 in annual property taxes—the most affordable in this analysis. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,893, while mortgage-free owners average $1,777.
Still verify your home's valuation
Even in a low-tax county, individual assessments deserve scrutiny to catch errors or overvaluations. Rusk County homeowners should confirm their assessed values reflect comparable sales and appeal if their homes appear overpriced.
Rusk County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% ranks among the highest in the nation, significantly exceeding the national average. With a median household income of just $58,322—21.9% below the U.S. average—housing costs consume an outsized share of household budgets.
Rusk ranks as Wisconsin's least affordable
At 16.8%, Rusk County faces the worst rent-to-income ratio in this comparison and among the highest in Wisconsin, well above the state average of 14.9%. The county struggles with both low incomes and limited housing availability, compounding affordability strain.
Rusk offers lowest rents despite worst ratio
Rusk's median rent of $816/month is among the region's lowest, yet the 16.8% rent-to-income ratio remains the worst due to depressed local incomes ($58,322). This reflects Rusk's economic challenges beyond housing markets alone.
Housing crisis grips Rusk households
Renters spend $816/month while homeowners pay $827/month—among the lowest nominal costs statewide. Yet with median income of just $58,322, renters dedicate 16.8% of annual earnings to housing, creating genuine financial hardship for many households.
Rusk requires careful consideration before moving
Rusk County offers the lowest nominal rents in this group, but the highest rent-to-income ratio signals deeper economic challenges. Only relocate here if you have secure remote employment or retirement income that doesn't depend on local wage opportunities.
Rusk County's median household income of $58,322 falls 22% below the national median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects economic challenges and limited high-wage employment in this rural county.
Lowest tier in Wisconsin
At $58,322, Rusk County trails Wisconsin's state median of $71,715 by $13,393. The county ranks among Wisconsin's lowest-income counties, signaling structural economic pressures in its forestry and agriculture-dependent economy.
Among region's lowest earners
Rusk's $58,322 closely matches Price County ($58,720), both among northwest Wisconsin's most challenged earners. Polk County ($76,208) outearns Rusk by 30.5%, illustrating sharp income disparities within the region.
Rent eats more income
Rusk County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is the highest among these eight counties, signaling rental stress despite a median home value of $152,000. Limited incomes relative to housing costs create household financial pressure.
Prioritize foundation first
With per capita income of $32,642, Rusk County households should focus on stable emergency savings before investing. Seek out free financial counseling, employer 401(k) plans, and low-cost retirement vehicles—small, consistent contributions build resilience over time.
At 76.3 years, Rusk County residents live 1.5 years below the U.S. average, with 17.4% reporting poor or fair health above national norms. This combination signals concentrated health challenges likely tied to occupational hazards, limited economic mobility, and healthcare access barriers.
Below state average with high uninsured
Rusk County's 76.3-year life expectancy trails Wisconsin's 77.8-year average by 1.5 years, while its 7.9% uninsured rate—tied for highest in the region—exceeds the state's 7.0% norm by nearly 1 percentage point. Both metrics signal health vulnerability concentrated among the county's most economically stressed residents.
Rural disadvantages compound challenges
Rusk County's 76.3-year life expectancy matches Rock County but trails Portage by nearly 3 years, while its mental health provider density at 71 per 100K is the lowest in the region. With 7.9% uninsured and 50 primary care providers per 100K, residents face both affordability and access barriers.
Rural poverty and care gaps converge
Rusk County's 7.9% uninsured rate affects roughly 1,300 residents who likely delay seeking care due to cost fears, worsening outcomes for treatable conditions. Mental health support at 71 providers per 100K is well below regional averages, leaving many residents without local access to behavioral health services.
Coverage can transform health
In rural Rusk County, being uninsured often means avoiding care entirely—even for serious symptoms—because the costs feel impossible to manage. Wisconsin Medicaid and ACA plans with subsidies make coverage affordable; visit HealthCare.gov or your county health department today to enroll and protect your family.
With a composite risk score of 37.28 and a Very Low rating, Rusk County sits well below the national average and ranks among America's safest counties for natural disaster exposure. This northern Wisconsin county enjoys exceptional protection from most hazard types.
Second-safest county in Wisconsin
Rusk County's 37.28 score falls far below Wisconsin's 59.08 state average, ranking it among the state's safest counties alongside Price County (32.32). Its northern location shields it from the severe weather and seismic exposure that affect southern Wisconsin.
Nearly as safe as Price County
Rusk County's score of 37.28 ranks it among the safest in the region, just slightly above Price County (32.32) and well below Portage County (62.72). The county's position in Wisconsin's rural north provides a significant safety advantage.
Modest flood exposure only concern
Rusk County's greatest hazard is relatively low flood risk at 44.69, with tornado (34.41) and wildfire (6.62) risks remaining minimal. Even the county's highest-risk hazard ranks well below state average, indicating genuinely limited disaster exposure.
Basic insurance and preparedness suffice
Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most Rusk County residents given the county's very low overall risk profile. Maintain basic emergency supplies and seasonal weather awareness, but elaborate multi-hazard coverage is rarely necessary here.