Wauwatosa 87 Exceptional
Wauwatosa Livability #19 ranked city in Wisconsin#256 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Wauwatosa

PROS
  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Nothing Found

    None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.

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What's it like Living in Wauwatosa?

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin is a moderately-sized city with a population of 48,143 residents. With a population density of 3,640 people per square mile, Wauwatosa is well above the nation's average density level. According to the most recent Census, 84% of Wauwatosa residents are White, 6% Black and 4% Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Wauwatosa. With an average one way commute time of only 21 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Wauwatosa can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Wisconsin, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Wauwatosa and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Wauwatosa to Wisconsin and the national average.

With a livability score of 87/100, Wauwatosa is ranked #206 in the United States and #10 in Wisconsin. This is a phenomenal score, as Wauwatosa ranks well in multiple categories! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Wauwatosa ranks well for crime (B), cost of living (B-), education (B), employment (A+) and housing (A+).

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Wauwatosa gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 199 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The Wauwatosa unemployment rate of 1.6% 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.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Wauwatosa market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Wauwatosa meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Wauwatosa. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Wauwatosa are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Wauwatosa come in at $251,300, which is 50.5% higher than the Wisconsin average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Wauwatosa, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 3.2% lower than the Wisconsin average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Wauwatosa

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Wauwatosa?

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Compare Wauwatosa, WI Livability

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      Wauwatosa transportation information

      Statistic Wauwatosa Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute21min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.5%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.7%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home7.6%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Wauwatosa, WI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).