Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Wausau?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Wausau, you need to earn at least $37,360/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $27,083, which means the typical resident is $10,277 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 338

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$654	$2,180	$26,160	$-923
1 Bedroom	$775	$2,583	$31,000	+$3,917
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$934	$3,113	$37,360	+$10,277
3 Bedroom	$1,139	$3,797	$45,560	+$18,477
4 Bedroom	$1,401	$4,670	$56,040	+$28,957

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Wausau's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$27,083

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$37,360

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$10,277

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 41.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Wausau

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Wausau's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$677

Studio

$654/mo

1 BR

$775/mo

2 BR

$934/mo

3 BR

$1,139/mo

4 BR

$1,401/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Wausau.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Wausau's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Wausau

Renting in Wausau is unaffordable for most median earners. The $10,277 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $934/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Wausau, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $654/month, which requires $26,160/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$467/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Florida city.

To live comfortably in Wausau without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $56,040 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Florida's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Wausau, Florida.

With a total population of 338, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 143 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $37,360 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

143

Active civilian employees in Wausau

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Wausau

What salary do I need to live in Wausau, Florida?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Wausau under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $37,360. The median household income in Wausau is $27,083.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Wausau on $27,083?

The affordability verdict for Wausau is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 41.4%, meaning there's a $10,277 income gap.

What is the average rent in Wausau compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Wausau is $775/month. With a median household income of $27,083, residents spend approximately 41.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Wausau?

A studio in Wausau rents for approximately $654/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $26,160 to afford this.

Is Wausau considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $10,277 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Wausau is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $37,360 to the local median household income.

How Wausau Compares

Other cities in Florida with salary requirements