Elm Grove 85 Exceptional
Elm Grove Livability #26 ranked city in Wisconsin#455 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Elm Grove

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • 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.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in Elm Grove?

Elm Grove, Wisconsin is a smaller city with a population of 6,322 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Elm Grove is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Elm Grove. 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.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Elm Grove could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Wisconsin if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Elm Grove and in the areas around Elm Grove is a much easier task.

Elm Grove has a livability score of 85/100 and is ranked #25 in Wisconsin and #456 in the USA. Based on this score, Elm Grove would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Elm Grove also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Elm Grove has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Elm Grove. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

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 0 crimes per 100,000 residents, Elm Grove has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

The unemployment rate in Elm Grove has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 0.2%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Elm Grove schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 69%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Elm Grove an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

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 Elm Grove 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 Elm Grove. 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 Elm Grove are affordable. The median home price for Elm Grove homes is $730,415, which is 142.5% higher than the Wisconsin average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Elm Grove, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 16.2% higher than the Wisconsin average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Elm Grove

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      Elm Grove transportation information

      Statistic Elm Grove Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute21min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.4%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.3%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home12.5%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Elm Grove, 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.