Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Wausau, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.9% of gross income.

Wausau rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Wausau median rent
$1,029/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Wisconsin)
$83,135/yr
Rent as % of income
14.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,928, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,078/mo in rent. Wausau's median rent of $1,029 leaves roughly $1,049/mo of headroom under that threshold. A dental hygienist works roughly 25.7 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Wausau, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Beloit, WI
$1,027/mo (14.8% of income)
Green Bay, WI
$1,027/mo (14.8% of income)
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$1,026/mo (14.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Wausau

View full rent data for Wausau, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Wausau, WI?

Median rent in Wausau is $1,029 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Wisconsin earns about $83,135 a year, which makes that rent 14.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Wausau?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Wisconsin (~$83,135/yr) supports up to $2,078 a month in rent. Wausau's current median rent is $1,029/mo, which leaves a $1,049/mo buffer.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Wausau?

At an hourly equivalent of about $40 an hour, a dental hygienist in Wisconsin works roughly 25.7 hours a month to cover Wausau's median rent of $1,029.

Where is rent cheaper than Wausau for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Beloit ($1,027/mo), Green Bay ($1,027/mo), Wisconsin Rapids ($1,026/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Wisconsin state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Wausau, WI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.