What is the cost of living in Waukesha, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Waukesha has an overall cost of living index of 101, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Waukesha has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Waukesha ranks as #88 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Waukesha ranks as the #58 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Waukesha, check out:
Waukesha Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Waukesha. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Waukesha is 99.
The Groceries index in Waukesha is 95.
The Health index in Waukesha is 116.
The Housing index in Waukesha is 95.
The Transportation index in Waukesha is 102.
The Utilities index in Waukesha is 96.
| Living Expense | Waukesha | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 116 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 100 | 100 |
Waukesha Cost Of Living Compared To Wisconsin Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Waukesha Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Waukesha, WI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Wisconsin, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Waukesha is $413,609.
The Median Rent in Waukesha is $1,219.
The Median Income in Waukesha is $83,837.
The Home Value To Income in Waukesha is 4.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Waukesha is 0.17x.
Waukesha, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Waukesha Services costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Waukesha Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Waukesha Health costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Waukesha Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
Waukesha SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Waukesha
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Waukesha. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost of living index of 110, 1.1x Waukesha.
Brookfield, WI has a cost of living index of 120, 1.2x Waukesha.
New Berlin, WI has a cost of living index of 111, 1.1x Waukesha.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Waukesha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wauwatosa, WI | 48,529 | 110 | 1.1x |
| Brookfield, WI | 41,273 | 120 | 1.2x |
| New Berlin, WI | 40,270 | 111 | 1.1x |
| Menomonee Falls, WI | 39,539 | 111 | 1.1x |
| Mequon, WI | 25,270 | 128 | 1.3x |
| Oconomowoc, WI | 19,080 | 111 | 1.1x |
| Whitefish Bay, WI | 14,665 | 127 | 1.3x |
| Sussex, WI | 12,066 | 112 | 1.1x |
| Richfield, WI | 11,755 | 116 | 1.1x |
| Hartland, WI | 9,972 | 113 | 1.1x |
