Waukesha, Wisconsin
Among the top 2% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 23% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 46% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 51% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A+, better than 98% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 43% of US places
- top 3% for walkability
- top 3% for natural disaster risk
- bottom 3% for air quality
Waukesha is a mid-size city in Wisconsin with about 71,000 residents. It grades A+ for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include walkability, natural disaster risk, and sales tax. It rates lower on sunny days and air quality.
Official websiteci.waukesha.wi.us (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
very cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
cold
v.cold
63%36%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.4 in1.7 in
humid 96%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$78k70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$52kbetter than 28% of US places
Home Value$267k73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 32% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 26% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.61%better than 21% of US places
Income Tax7.60%better than 20% of US places
Sales Tax5.70%better than 93% of US places
Estimated total tax burden15.04%better than 17% of US places
Unemployment2.9%better than 59% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)24°F19th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)73°F30th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation36.0 in33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall36.9 inbetter than 25% of US places
Sunny Days184 daysbetter than 12% of US places
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 65% of US places
Comfortable Days98 daysbetter than 84% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk17.5better than 97% of US places
Air Quality56 AQIbetter than 3% of US places
School Quality48.1better than 32% of US places
Violent Crime498/100kbetter than 66% of US places
Property Crime805/100kbetter than 56% of US places
Community
Population70,94598th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age36.127th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2760th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9849th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2147th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)78.7%40th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.2%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)12.0%77th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)3.0%85th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.1%52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time22 minbetter than 77% of US places
Walkability14.1/20better than 97% of US places
Airport Distance18 mibetter than 90% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access92.3%better than 73% of US places
Amenities Nearby23.54better than 24% of US places
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 47% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Waukesha an affordable place to live?
- Waukesha is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $52k, better than 28% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Waukesha?
- The median home value in Waukesha is $267k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Waukesha?
- Median household income in Waukesha is $78k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Waukesha?
- Median gross rent in Waukesha is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Waukesha safe?
- Waukesha is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 498/100k (better than 66%). Property crime is 805/100k.
- What is the weather like in Waukesha?
- Waukesha averages 73°F in July and 24°F in January, with 36.0 in of annual precipitation and about 184 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Waukesha?
- Public-school quality in Waukesha is below average, scoring better than 32% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Waukesha?
- The average one-way commute in Waukesha is 22 min.
Other places in Waukesha County
Places near Waukesha
Compare Waukesha
Explore Wisconsin
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)