| Index | Waukesha | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 103 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 116 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 98 | 100 |
The cost of living in Waukesha affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Waukesha is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
In Waukesha, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Waukesha will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Waukesha affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Waukesha, the median home price is 23.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 2.2% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Waukesha boasting a median household income of $99,838, 22.8% higher than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Waukesha, the housing index comes in at 15.6% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Waukesha, the transportation index stands at 5.6% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Waukesha starts at 5% and the income tax rates start at 3.54%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Waukesha are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $137,571 | $11,464 | $3,210 | $4,128 |
| Renters | $57,209 | $4,767 | $1,335 | $1,716 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Wisconsin | 5% | 6.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Wisconsin | 3.54% | 7.65% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| West Milwaukee, WI | 4,258 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Lannon, WI | 1,221 | 94 | 6.0% |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Butler, WI | 2,034 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Brown Deer, WI | 12,298 | 98 | 2.4% |
| Waukesha, WI | 73,902 | 103 | 3.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Kissimmee, FL | 73,957 | 107 | 7.0% |
| Mansfield, TX | 73,975 | 115 | 15.1% |
| Lauderhill, FL | 73,782 | 106 | 5.5% |
| Gulfport, MS | 73,689 | 90 | 9.5% |
| Decatur, IL | 74,163 | 85 | 15.3% |
| Waukesha, WI | 73,902 | 103 | 3.0% |
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