Wausau, Wisconsin
Among the top 23% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 41% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade D, better than 22% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 48% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 77% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 73% of US places
- top 3% for commute time
- top 7% for sales tax
- bottom 8% for annual snowfall
Wausau is a mid-size city in Wisconsin with about 40,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for weather. Standout strengths include commute time, sales tax, and park & nature access. It rates lower on property tax rate and annual snowfall.
Official websiteci.wausau.wi.us (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
v.cold
cold
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
v.cold
freez.
67%47%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.3 in1.3 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$59k45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$45kbetter than 61% of US places
Home Value$147k44th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$898better than 52% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 61% of US places
Property Tax Rate2.00%better than 10% of US places
Income Tax7.60%better than 20% of US places
Sales Tax5.70%better than 93% of US places
Estimated total tax burden14.44%better than 19% of US places
Unemployment4.5%better than 44% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)15°F5th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)70°F12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation34.7 in31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall63.4 inbetter than 8% of US places
Sunny Days211 daysbetter than 28% of US places
Summer Humidity59°Fbetter than 77% of US places
Comfortable Days81 daysbetter than 47% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk55.1better than 65% of US places
Air Quality42 AQIbetter than 68% of US places
School Quality55.5better than 46% of US places
Violent Crime1095/100kbetter than 31% of US places
Property Crime1283/100kbetter than 37% of US places
Community
Population39,90697th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.639th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3165th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9644th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1844th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)79.7%41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.7%54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)4.7%56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)10.7%96th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.2%64th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time15 minbetter than 97% of US places
Walkability9.8/20better than 85% of US places
Airport Distance165 mibetter than 14% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.8%better than 52% of US places
Amenities Nearby60.89better than 44% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 92% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Wausau an affordable place to live?
- Wausau is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $45k, better than 61% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Wausau?
- The median home value in Wausau is $147k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Wausau?
- Median household income in Wausau is $59k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Wausau?
- Median gross rent in Wausau is $898 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Wausau safe?
- Wausau is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1095/100k (better than 31%). Property crime is 1283/100k.
- What is the weather like in Wausau?
- Wausau averages 70°F in July and 15°F in January, with 34.7 in of annual precipitation and about 211 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Wausau?
- Public-school quality in Wausau is about average, scoring better than 46% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Wausau?
- The average one-way commute in Wausau is 15 min.
Places near Wausau
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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)