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Retirement community in Grafton, Wisconsin

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Grafton, Wisconsin Retirement Guide

established retirement community
64

Retirement Score

Grafton, Wisconsin at a Glance

Median Home Price
$285,400
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension income generally taxable.
Avg January Low
16.4°F
Cost of Living Index
92.4 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
64 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Grafton, Wisconsin, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
92.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$83,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Grafton's cost of living is 7.599999999999994% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$285,400High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,109High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
63.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Grafton using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$618

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$694

Median home price used: $285,400

Median rent reference: $1,109 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Grafton, Wisconsin after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
96.7 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
96.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
47.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Grafton scores 96.7 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Grafton

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Grafton

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension income generally taxable.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Wisconsin has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
79.6°FMedium confidence
Avg January Low
16.4°FMedium confidence
Annual Precipitation
38.9"Medium confidence
Sunny Days / Year
272 daysMedium confidence

With 272 sunny days a year and an average January low of 16.4°F, Grafton offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
15.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
5 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
12,160High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
43.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
23.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
4.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
44.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
89.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
2.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
3.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
2.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Grafton

Is Grafton, Wisconsin a good place to retire?

Grafton, Wisconsin is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Grafton, Wisconsin for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 92, roughly 8% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $285,400.

Does Wisconsin tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Wisconsin residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension income generally taxable.

What is the climate like in Grafton, Wisconsin?

Grafton, Wisconsin has January average low around 16°F, July average high around 80°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Grafton, Wisconsin?

Grafton scores 97/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Interested in Grafton? Talk to a Local Expert.

State Preferences (select all that interest you)

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