Waukesha 83 Exceptional
Waukesha Livability #42 ranked city in Wisconsin#951 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% 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 Waukesha

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment 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 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 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.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

What's it like Living in Waukesha?

Waukesha is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Wisconsin. The city has a population of 73,902 residents. According to the most recent Census, 87% of Waukesha residents are White, 3% Black and 3% Asian.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Waukesha, 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 amenities, crime, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Waukesha and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Waukesha to Wisconsin and the national average.

The livability score in Waukesha is 82/100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. This is a phenomenal score, as Waukesha ranks well in multiple categories! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Waukesha ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B), education (B), employment (B+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Waukesha does not rank well for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Waukesha has a violent crime rate of 114 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The Waukesha unemployment rate of 2.3% 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.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Waukesha can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Waukesha real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Waukesha. Median real estate prices in Waukesha come in at $402,471, which is 33.6% higher than the Wisconsin average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Waukesha, the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 8.1% higher than the Wisconsin average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Waukesha

See all the best places to live around Waukesha

How Do You Rate The Livability In Waukesha?

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 Waukesha, WI Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Waukesha transportation information

      Statistic Waukesha Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute22min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.0%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.0%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.8%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home4.7%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Waukesha, 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.