The results are in for the third quarter of 2016's Cost of Living Index. According to The Council for Community and Economic Research, the Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan, equals 100, and each participant's index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. The categories the Index measures are grocery items, housing, utilities, transporation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. 

The Eau Claire Metro ranks fourth of the six participating areas within the State of Wisconsin, with a composite index of 95.3% the national average. Comparatively, Madison's Metro was rated at 108.1%, Milwaukee's at 99.4%, and Fond du Lac at 94.5%. Green Bay rated lowest of the six participating regions of Wisconsin at 90.3%. Among the individual categories, Eau Claire ranked the lowest compared to the rest of the state participants in the cost for housing category.

The third quarter prices were collected in July. The next data collection will occur in January for the first quarter of 2017. For more information on the index, please contact Ray French, Business Assistance Specialist, at ray.french@eauclairewi.gov.