Eau Claire 89 Exceptional
Eau Claire Livability #10 ranked city in Wisconsin#121 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Eau Claire

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    There are no cons identified for this area, as none of the categories received a poor score.

What's it like Living in Eau Claire?

Eau Claire, Wisconsin is a moderately-sized city with a population of 70,119 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (89% White). Given that fact, Eau Claire could be considered less diverse than other cities. The median age of all Eau Claire residents is 32, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Eau Claire, only 45% of the population is married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Eau Claire will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 16 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, commute, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Eau Claire and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Eau Claire to Wisconsin and the national average.

With a livability score of 88 out of 100, Eau Claire is ranked #141 in the United States and #8 in Wisconsin. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Eau Claire could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Eau Claire also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Eau Claire ranks very well for amenities (A+), crime (B+), cost of living (A-), education (B-) and housing (A+).

If you're living in Eau Claire, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Eau Claire an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Chaos Water Park, Action City, and Carson Park.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 162 crimes per 100,000 residents, Eau Claire has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Eau Claire excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Eau Claire. 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 Eau Claire are affordable. Median real estate prices in Eau Claire come in at $295,511, which is 1.9% lower than the Wisconsin average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Eau Claire, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 10.8% lower than the Wisconsin average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Eau Claire

See all the best places to live around Eau Claire

How Do You Rate The Livability In Eau Claire?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Eau Claire, WI Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Eau Claire transportation information

      Statistic Eau Claire Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute16min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.1%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.6%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home6.9%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Eau Claire, 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.