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MarketsWisconsinMarinetteCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Marinette, WI

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Marinette, WI

Cap Rate
3.14%
Median Price
$195K
Rent/Mo
$1,000
1% Rule
0.51%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Marinette's price-to-income ratio is 3.6x — homes cost 3.6 times the local median household income of $53,700. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Marinette (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,297/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,668. The median rent of $1,000/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Marinette is $53,700, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% per year. Marinette is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Marinette is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Marinette Compares

Marinette vs Wisconsin state average and national average across key investment metrics. Marinette's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Marinette
Wisconsin Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.14%
1.83%
3.81%
Median Price
$195K
$309K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,000
$1,223
$1,524
Property Tax
1.88%
1.88%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.5%
5.5%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.5%/yr
0.5%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Marinette, WI
3.1%
$195K
$1,000
1.88%
Waterloo, IA
4.0%
$195K
$1,100
1.5%
Austin, MN
2.9%
$195K
$830
1.12%
Springfield, OH
4.0%
$195K
$1,120
1.58%
Toledo, OH
4.3%
$190K
$1,160
1.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marinette affordable for renters?
Renters in Marinette spend approximately 22% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $53,700, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Marinette?
Marinette's price-to-income ratio is 3.6x, meaning homes cost 3.6 times the local median income. This is very affordable — below the 4x threshold that typically signals a healthy buyer's market.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Marinette?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $195K home is approximately $1,037/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,408/mo. The median rent of $1,000/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Marinette's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Marinette ($195K) are 42% below the national average. Rents ($1,000/mo) are 34% below average. Property taxes (1.88%) are above the 1.08% national average.
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Explore Marinette & Related Markets

More Marinette Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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