Best Cities for Accountants & CPAs in Wisconsin
Ranked by affordability — cost of living, rent, and net income on a $78,000 salary
Wisconsin has 12 metro areas with full cost-of-living data. For accountants & cpas earning around $78,000 annually, Oshkosh-Neenah stands out as the most affordable option with a cost-of-living index of 65.4 and $52,165 left after taxes and rent. 11 cities in Wisconsin sit below the national average cost of living, giving accountants & cpas more purchasing power per dollar earned. Madison is the priciest metro at 95.9 on the index, 31 points above Oshkosh-Neenah.
City Rankings by Affordability
Full Comparison Table
| # | City | COL Index | 2BR Rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh-Neenah | 65.4 | $1,149 |
| 2 | Wausau | 66.0 | $1,147 |
| 3 | Sheboygan | 67.3 | $1,116 |
| 4 | Eau Claire | 68.8 | $1,181 |
| 5 | Janesville-Beloit | 70.7 | $1,246 |
| 6 | Green Bay | 73.9 | $1,164 |
| 7 | Fond du Lac | 77.6 | $1,176 |
| 8 | Appleton | 81.6 | $1,236 |
| 9 | Kenosha | 91.7 | $1,402 |
| 10 | Racine-Mount Pleasant | 92.2 | $1,235 |
| 11 | Milwaukee-Waukesha | 94.0 | $1,338 |
| 12 | Madison | 95.9 | $1,694 |
Net income = $78,000 salary − federal & Wisconsin state taxes − annual 2BR rent. COL index: national avg = 100.
How We Rank Cities
Cities are ranked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, where 100 equals the national average. A lower score means your money goes further. Net income is calculated using a benchmark $78,000 salary for accountants & cpas who manage finances and tax compliance, after applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin state income tax brackets and subtracting HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment. Purchasing power adjusts net income for local price levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable city in Wisconsin for accountants & cpas?
Oshkosh-Neenah is the most affordable city in Wisconsin for accountants & cpas, with a cost-of-living index of 65.4 (national average = 100). On a $78,000 salary, you'd have approximately $52,165 after taxes and rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.
How much do accountants & cpas earn in Wisconsin?
Accountants & CPAs in Wisconsin earn around $78,000 per year on average. After federal and state taxes, and typical 2-bedroom rent costs (averaging $15,084 per year across the state), take-home spending money varies significantly by city—making location a critical factor.
How does cost of living vary across Wisconsin cities?
Across 12 metro areas in Wisconsin, the average cost-of-living index is 79 (national average = 100). The most affordable metro is Oshkosh-Neenah at 65.4, while Madison is the most expensive at 95.9—a difference of 31 index points.
Other Rankings in Wisconsin
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