Dexter, MI vs Cross Plains, WI: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Cross Plains, WI has a modeled overall cost index 19.3% higher than Dexter, MI.

Dexter, MI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,880 / month
Cross Plains, WI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,610 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Dexter, MI and Cross Plains, WI using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

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Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $1,265/month in Cross Plains, WI

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $165,183 in Cross Plains, WI

Regional cost estimates: Dexter, MI uses Detroit, MI. Cross Plains, WI uses Madison, WI. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 19.3%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,265
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$15.2K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Dexter, MI

Population:5K
Cost Index:
80.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$485K

Cross Plains, WI

Population:4K
Cost Index:
95.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$517K

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Dexter, MI

The Great Lakes State

5K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 5K residents.

Cross Plains, WI

The Badger State

4K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 4K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Dexter, MI vs Cross Plains, WI

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 76.7%
Dexter, MI
$1,543
Cross Plains, WI
$2,726
Difference
$1,183
more
Transportation
↓ 10.4%
Dexter, MI
$1,728
Cross Plains, WI
$1,547
Difference
$180
less
Healthcare
↑ 27.5%
Dexter, MI
$650
Cross Plains, WI
$829
Difference
$179
more
Other
↑ 7.0%
Dexter, MI
$1,841
Cross Plains, WI
$1,970
Difference
$129
more
All Utilities
↓ 8.8%
Dexter, MI
$643
Cross Plains, WI
$586
Difference
$56.73
less
Groceries
↑ 1.1%
Dexter, MI
$1,095
Cross Plains, WI
$1,107
Difference
$11.53
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,550
To$1,210
↓ $340
1 Bed
From$1,570
To$1,410
↓ $160
2 Bed
From$1,880
To$1,610
↓ $270
3 Bed
From$2,250
To$2,130
↓ $120
Dexter, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,570–$1,570/mo

Cross Plains, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410–$1,410/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Dexter, MI
$8,765
Monthly in Cross Plains, WI
$1,265
Difference

Home Values

Dexter
Cross Plains
$485K
Median Value
$517K
↑ +3.5%
YoY Change
↑ +3.7%
↑ +7.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +35.7%

Homes in Cross Plains are 7% more expensive than Dexter

Calculate payment - DexterCalculate payment - Cross Plains

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $2.5K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$206
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.6%
Rate difference

Dexter, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

Cross Plains, WI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Wisconsin State Tax
Effective: 5.9%
$8.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.6%
$45.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,678/month
$104.1K

Additional Tax Information

Dexter, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

Cross Plains, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%
Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Dexter
Cross Plains
55 Moderate
Air Quality
42 Good
32.8%
Good Air Days
72.1%
99 High
Climate Risk
94 Moderate
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌪💨
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
10 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days

Before moving from Dexter, MI to Cross Plains, WI

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Cross Plains, WI for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Dexter, MI. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Dexter to Cross Plains moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Cross Plains, WI by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dexter, MI vs Cross Plains, WI

How do the cost estimates for Dexter, MI and Cross Plains, WI compare?

Cross Plains, WI has a modeled overall cost index 19.3% higher than Dexter, MI. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Dexter, MI, the model estimates $165,183 in Cross Plains, WI. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Dexter, MI and Cross Plains, WI?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,880/month in Dexter, MI and $1,610/month in Cross Plains, WI. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Michigan and Wisconsin on TaxTakeHome.com

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