Grafton 75 Excellent
Grafton Livability #141 ranked city in Wisconsin#3,850 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Grafton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Grafton?

Grafton, Wisconsin is a mid-sized city with a population of 12,131 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 94% of Grafton residents are White, 2% Asian and 1% Black. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Grafton, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 23 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Grafton, Wisconsin. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, health & safety, you can easily compare the best places to live in Grafton and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Grafton to Wisconsin and the national average.

The livability score in Grafton is 75 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 86th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the United States average, Grafton ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Grafton scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (B-), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Grafton. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Grafton, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 78 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

The Grafton unemployment rate of 2.1% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Grafton apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Grafton. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Grafton are affordable. Median real estate prices in Grafton come in at $431,873, which is 43.4% higher than the Wisconsin average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Grafton, the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 2.7% higher than the Wisconsin average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Grafton

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Compare Grafton, WI Livability

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      Grafton transportation information

      Statistic Grafton Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute23min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work85.4%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.1%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.5%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.7%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home7.0%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Grafton, WI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.