| Index | Wauwatosa | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 108 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 131 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 98 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Wauwatosa is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Wauwatosa is 108, which is 8% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Wauwatosa are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Wauwatosa can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Wauwatosa cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 31.1% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 5 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Wauwatosa and this is how they responded. 20% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 80% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Wauwatosa an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Wauwatosa is 37.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 15.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Wauwatosa has a median household income of $127,204, which is 56.4% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Wauwatosa, the transportation index is 2.9% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Wauwatosa, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5%, and income tax rates start at 3.54%.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Wauwatosa, the utilities index registers at 2.5% higher than the national average.
The Wauwatosa cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $162,765 | $13,564 | $3,798 | $4,883 |
| Renters | $75,818 | $6,318 | $1,769 | $2,275 |
| 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. |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 93 | 7.2% |
| West Milwaukee, WI | 4,258 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Lannon, WI | 1,221 | 94 | 6.0% |
| St. Francis, WI | 9,923 | 95 | 4.9% |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Wauwatosa, WI | 49,450 | 108 | 7.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jeffersonville, IN | 49,450 | 93 | 7.0% |
| Ceres, CA | 49,472 | 125 | 25.4% |
| Rimouski, QC | 49,516 | n/a | |
| Palm Springs, CA | 49,537 | 138 | 37.6% |
| Roswell, NM | 49,357 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Wauwatosa, WI | 49,450 | 108 | 7.5% |
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