C-

Sarona, WI

Source:

Affordability Score: 54/100

Population: 1,486 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Sarona, WI aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 1,486 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C- (54/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $67,063, median home value of $296,100, median rent of $1,125 per month, and 27.6% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $975 per month (studio $672, 1BR $743, 3BR $1,169, 4BR $1,291). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $9,464 per year, consuming 14% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Sarona, WI include rent. Pressure points are housing. Unemployment currently reads 4.1% and poverty 6.7% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C-
$67,063
Median household income
Education D
27.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing F
4.4x
Home value $296,100 vs income
Commute C-
25 min
Average commute time
Rent A-
$975/mo
2BR fair market rent (17% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C-
$9,464/yr
Center-based infant care (14% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$67,063
▲ 8% vs national
Per Capita Income
$42,511
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Poverty Rate
6.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
$296,100
▲ 8% vs national
Median Rent
$1,125/mo
Owner Occupied
94.6%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$975/mo
▼ 19% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$672
1BR
$743
2BR
$975
3BR
$1,169
4BR
$1,291

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
27.6%
▼ 2 ppt vs national
High School+
62.5%
Median Age
56.6
Avg. Commute
25 min
▼ 1 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$9,464/yr
14% of income
Toddler (Center)
$8,840/yr
Preschool (Center)
$8,840/yr
School-Age (Center)
$7,956/yr

What This Means

Sarona, WI receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 1,486. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include housing. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Sarona ZIP Codes
View all 1 ZIP codes with demographics and individual scorecards
View ZIPs →

What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Sarona, WI affordable?
Sarona, WI receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $67,063. Median home value is $296,100.
What is the cost of living in Sarona?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,125/mo. 2BR fair market rent $975/mo. Infant childcare $9,464/yr. Median home value $296,100.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →