Living in Trempealeau offers a cost-effective lifestyle without sacrificing essential services and community amenities. The overall cost of living index in Trempealeau is lower than the national average, making it a desirable place to call home.

We’re not going to sugarcoat it, some rates in Trempealeau may be higher than in other areas, but there are valid reasons for those differences, which are explained below. When you factor in all the variables that contribute to the cost of living, including housing, utilities, transportation, and local services, Trempealeau remains an affordable and attractive option for residents.

According to AreaVibes, Trempealeau’s cost of living index is 97, slightly above the Wisconsin average but 3% lower than the national average. BestPlaces reports a cost of living index of 89.9, with housing costs particularly affordable at an index of 82. The median home cost in Trempealeau is approximately $244,100, compared to the national median of $338,100.

City-Data further supports Trempealeau’s affordability, listing the cost of living index at 87.4. This data highlights the overall lower cost of housing while noting that utility costs are slightly above the national average, with an index of 101. Other expenses such as groceries and transportation remain close to or below national averages, contributing to the area’s affordability.

Disclaimer: The sources referenced on this page, including AreaVibes, BestPlaces, and City-Data, utilize a wide variety of public data to calculate cost of living indices. Differences in data collection methods and timeframes may result in slight variations in reported figures.

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Before we dive into the details of utility rates and property taxes, let’s take a moment to recognize the incredible amenities that make Trempealeau a great place to call home.

Living here means access to some of the region’s best outdoor recreation. Perrot State Park offers breathtaking hiking trails, river views, and camping areas, making it a centerpiece of outdoor life in Trempealeau. The Great River State Bike Trail connects residents to a broader regional network of trails, perfect for cycling enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge provides serene opportunities for bird watching, kayaking, and exploring diverse natural habitats.

For water enthusiasts, the Mississippi River and several spring-fed lakes offer year-round boating and fishing, with convenient public access points like the DNR-operated boat launch and the Trempealeau Marina, which includes 150 boat slips. The historic US Lock and Dam #6 is a popular spot for boat watching and enjoying river views.

Our community investment in recreation continues with the development of a new park, adding more space for family activities, sports, and community events. This park will complement existing green spaces and provide even more options for residents to stay active and connected.

Beyond the natural beauty, Trempealeau’s historic downtown is home to local shops, dining, and seasonal events that bring residents together. The historic Trempealeau Hotel offers gourmet dining and hosts outdoor concerts throughout the summer, set against the scenic backdrop of the river and railroad tracks. In the heart of downtown, The Station coffee shop is a cozy spot for coffee and pastries. In the Lakes District, residents can enjoy local dining at Catdaddy’s, along with familiar gathering spots like Vet’s Bar and Muddy Waters.

The Hwy 35/54 Corridor adds even more family-friendly attractions within a short drive. Residents can visit Elmaro Vineyard, enjoy seasonal apple picking at Ecker’s Apple Orchard and Ferguson’s Apple Orchard and Amusement Park, and experience farm-to-table dining and live music at Winghaven Pizza Farm.

For families, Trempealeau boasts great schools with small class sizes and free busing to middle and high school. Our dedicated police department helps maintain a low crime rate, contributing to the overall sense of safety and community.

Living in Trempealeau isn’t just about affordability, it’s about the quality of life, the sense of community, and the unique experiences that make this village truly special.

This is a common concern, and keep in mind that Wisconsin relies heavily on property taxes to fund local government services like schools, counties, and municipalities, ranking among the highest in the nation for property tax dependency. Trempealeau’s property taxes are not abnormally high. In fact, they are comparable to other similar communities when considering equalized value, which is the most accurate basis for comparison given that each community assesses property differently. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue publishes equalized values every August, but there is a one-year lag in the data, making current comparisons slightly delayed.

Note that we don’t list townships because comparisons between villages or cities and towns can also be misleading. Towns typically provide fewer services, such as police, parks, and recreation, resulting in lower taxes but also fewer amenities. Trempealeau, as a village, provides a full range of municipal services funded primarily through property taxes.

The figures provided represent the amount per $1,000 of assessed property value.

There are several reasons your utility bill might seem higher than expected, but the first one to address is that Trempealeau customers receive a combined utility bill for electric, water, and sewer services. This is different from many other communities, such as nearby Galesville, where residents receive separate bills for electric versus water & sewer service. This combined billing can make it appear that your electric bill is higher than in surrounding areas, but it’s actually the total for all three services in one statement.

The Trempealeau Water Utility includes a Public Fire Protection (PFP) charge, which can make the water bill appear higher than in some other communities. This charge covers the costs of maintaining firefighting infrastructure, such as hydrants, larger mains, pumps, and storage facilities that ensure rapid water delivery during emergencies. While some communities recoup this charge through property taxes, Trempealeau recoups it through our water rates.

Other potential reasons for higher bills include:

  • Increased Usage: Did you have house guests staying over for a week or two? Extra showers, laundry, and meal prep can drive up water and electric usage.

  • Household Size: Larger households or families with teenagers often use more water and electricity, especially with more frequent laundry loads, longer showers, and higher electronics usage.

  • Seasonal Changes: Heating in winter and air conditioning in summer can significantly impact your electric bill.

  • Appliance Efficiency: Older appliances may consume more electricity or water than newer, more efficient models.

  • Water Leaks: A leaky toilet or faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a month, leading to higher bills

If you suspect a specific issue or need help troubleshooting, contact the Village Office. We’re here to help identify potential causes and provide guidance.

It really comes down to the makeup of our customer base. Trempealeau’s utilities primarily serve residential customers, who typically generate less revenue per customer compared to large commercial or industrial users. However, the cost to maintain our infrastructure, like poles, wires, substations, and crews, remains relatively constant whether we serve 1,000 homes or a few big businesses. Without those larger customers helping to offset costs, the expenses are spread across residential customers, driving rates up.

This applies to our water and sewer rates as well. Smaller communities like Trempealeau tend to have higher rates because the cost of maintaining infrastructure is spread across fewer customers. In larger communities with more commercial and industrial demand, those big users help share more of the cost, keeping residential rates lower.

Take Arcadia, for example, they have major commercial and industrial customers like Ashley Furniture and Golden Plump that generate significantly more revenue than residential customers. Despite managing 43 miles of electric lines compared to Trempealeau’s 39 miles, they only serve about 150 more customers but generate nearly four times the revenue. This higher commercial demand helps cover operating costs, allowing Arcadia to keep residential rates lower. Currently, their kWh rate is 9.9 cents, while Trempealeau’s is 14 cents.

Our rates are very competitive compared to neighboring electric utilities. The illustration below compares our electric rates to those of the two surrounding utilities that would take over our customers if the Village were to sell the electric utility.

We compare electric rates because electric utilities can be sold to other providers, such as Xcel Energy or Riverland Co-op, who would take over service. However, water and sewer utilities operate differently. They are the sole responsibility of the municipality, and there’s no option to sell them to another provider. This makes comparisons between communities more like comparing apples and oranges.

Each community’s water and sewer infrastructure varies significantly. One community may have a lagoon-based water treatment system versus a mechanical treatment facility. Some systems may require multiple booster stations or lift stations, while others do not. The need for new wells, the customer mix, and even issues like flooding that cause inflow and infiltration (I&I) into the treatment plant can all affect costs.

Given these variables, comparing water and sewer rates isn’t as straightforward or particularly useful. Instead, we focus on ensuring our utilities are operating as efficiently as possible. We work with engineers and industry experts to assess our systems, identify cost-saving measures, and keep rates as low as possible without compromising service quality.

For those interested in comparing water rates, there is publicly available data that can be accessed through the link below. Unfortunately, sewer rate data is not centrally published, so it requires independent research and compilation. [Link to Water Rate Data]

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

Focus on Energy –  offers a range of rebates and services to support the energy efficiency efforts of Wisconsin residents and businesses.

Food Pantries

  • Village of Trempealeau – Located in the lobby of Village Hall
  • GET Food Pantry
  • Holmen Area Food Pantry
  •  Trempealeau County Food Shelf  -3rd Saturday each month, all day in the old county hospital

Rent Assistance