The Sconi

Wisconsin families spent an average of $1,001 more for goods and services – including transportation, shelter costs, energy, and food – in July 2024 than they were spending prior to the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration.

That’s according to data released by the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee (JEC).

Per the analysis, the average Wisconsin household has spent a cumulative $25,875 more since January of 2021 than if pre-2021 trends under the Trump administration had continued.

As the JEC report notes, in the U.S. Census Bureau's East North Central division — which includes Wisconsin — the cumulative inflation rate since January 2021 is 20.5 percent, 0.3 percent higher than the national rate. Moreover, compared to July 2023, it costs the average Wisconsin household $138 more every month to maintain the same living standard.

The State Inflation Tracker reveals that with regard to transportation costs, the average Wisconsin household currently spends $287 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $9,534 since January 2021 due to inflation.

With regard to shelter costs, the average Wisconsin household currently spends $207 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $4,061 since January 2021 due to inflation.

In terms of energy costs, the average Wisconsin household currently spends $118 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $4,334 since January 2021 due to inflation.

Food costs are similarly inflated, and as a result, the average Wisconsin household currently spends $149 more per month than in January 2021, with a cumulative spending increase of $3,903 since January 2021 due to inflation.

Primerica's fourth quarter 2022 U.S. Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor survey — which is designed to assess the financial health of households annual incomes of $30,000 to $100,000 — found that in December 2022, 53 percent of respondents reported their financial situations as "excellent or good," compared to 65 percent in September 2020 (in June 2024, this percentage had dipped to 49 percent). Also, in December 2022, 72 percent of respondents said that their incomes were falling behind the cost of living, 22 percent more than in September 2020.

There are currently 3,451,249 registered voters in Wisconsin. In 2020 the presidential election in Wisconsin was decided by 20,682 votes, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Wisconsinites wanting to register can do so now through October 16th online through My Vote Wisconsin.