Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Among the top 11% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 32% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 31% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 11% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 89% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 56% of US places
- top 4% for commute time
- top 7% for sales tax
- bottom 11% for annual snowfall
Eau Claire is a mid-size city in Wisconsin with about 69,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include commute time, sales tax, and walkability. It rates lower on air quality and annual snowfall.
Official websiteeauclairewi.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
v.cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
v.cold
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71%48%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.0 in1.2 in
humid 61%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$64k52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$48kbetter than 41% of US places
Home Value$209k63rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$929better than 48% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 40% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.64%better than 20% of US places
Income Tax7.60%better than 20% of US places
Sales Tax5.70%better than 93% of US places
Estimated total tax burden14.85%better than 18% of US places
Unemployment3.6%better than 53% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)15°F5th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)71°F20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation32.8 in27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall54.0 inbetter than 11% of US places
Sunny Days217 daysbetter than 35% of US places
Summer Humidity60°Fbetter than 73% of US places
Comfortable Days83 daysbetter than 53% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk62.5better than 54% of US places
Air Quality52 AQIbetter than 12% of US places
School Quality53.7better than 43% of US places
Violent Crime1183/100kbetter than 28% of US places
Property Crime2234/100kbetter than 15% of US places
Community
Population69,09898th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age32.815th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2253rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9235th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1120th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)86.7%54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.3%61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)2.7%44th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)6.0%92nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.3%54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time16 minbetter than 96% of US places
Walkability9.0/20better than 82% of US places
Airport Distance86 mibetter than 45% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access90.4%better than 66% of US places
Amenities Nearby38.93better than 34% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 63% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Eau Claire an affordable place to live?
- Eau Claire is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $48k, better than 41% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Eau Claire?
- The median home value in Eau Claire is $209k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Eau Claire?
- Median household income in Eau Claire is $64k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Eau Claire?
- Median gross rent in Eau Claire is $929 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Eau Claire safe?
- Eau Claire is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1183/100k (better than 28%). Property crime is 2234/100k.
- What is the weather like in Eau Claire?
- Eau Claire averages 71°F in July and 15°F in January, with 32.8 in of annual precipitation and about 217 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Eau Claire?
- Public-school quality in Eau Claire is about average, scoring better than 43% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Eau Claire?
- The average one-way commute in Eau Claire is 16 min.
Places near Eau Claire
Compare Eau Claire
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)