What is the cost of living in Wauwatosa, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Wauwatosa has an overall cost of living index of 110, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Wauwatosa has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Wauwatosa ranks as #114 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Wauwatosa ranks as the #32 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Wauwatosa, check out:
Wauwatosa Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Wauwatosa. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Wauwatosa is 99.
The Groceries index in Wauwatosa is 97.
The Health index in Wauwatosa is 130.
The Housing index in Wauwatosa is 95.
The Transportation index in Wauwatosa is 104.
The Utilities index in Wauwatosa is 98.
| Living Expense | Wauwatosa | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 110 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 130 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 100 | 100 |
Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa is $415,681.
The Median Rent in Wauwatosa is $1,438.
The Median Income in Wauwatosa is $101,138.
The Home Value To Income in Wauwatosa is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Wauwatosa is 0.17x.
Wauwatosa, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Wauwatosa Services costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Wauwatosa Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Wauwatosa Health costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Wauwatosa Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
Wauwatosa SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Wauwatosa
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Wauwatosa. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Milwaukee, WI has a cost of living index of 95, 0.9x Wauwatosa.
West Allis, WI has a cost of living index of 92, 0.8x Wauwatosa.
Brookfield, WI has a cost of living index of 120, 1.1x Wauwatosa.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Wauwatosa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 566,973 | 95 | 0.9x |
| West Allis, WI | 59,612 | 92 | 0.8x |
| Brookfield, WI | 41,273 | 120 | 1.1x |
| New Berlin, WI | 40,270 | 111 | 1.0x |
| Menomonee Falls, WI | 39,539 | 111 | 1.0x |
| Greenfield, WI | 37,345 | 100 | 0.9x |
| Mequon, WI | 25,270 | 128 | 1.2x |
| Whitefish Bay, WI | 14,665 | 127 | 1.2x |
| Glendale, WI | 13,656 | 105 | 1.0x |
| Shorewood, WI | 13,627 | 122 | 1.1x |
