salaryRent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $62,120 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 109 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waukesha?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waukesha
| Size | Waukesha | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,209 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,131 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,404 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,638 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,529 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waukesha overall?
Everyday prices in the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Waukesha
Life in Waukesha
What jobs pay in Waukesha
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $153,340 | 12.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,040 | 13.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,350 | 13.9% |
| Lawyer | $131,100 | 14.2% |
| Operations Manager | $125,490 | 14.9% |
| Software Developer | $123,730 | 15.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,120 | 18.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,780 | 18.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,360 | 19.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,190 | 19.4% |
| Plumber | $84,700 | 22.0% |
| Police Officer | $82,090 | 22.7% |
| Accountant | $80,290 | 23.2% |
| Electrician | $77,800 | 24.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,880 | 25.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,410 | 28.5% |
| Carpenter | $63,910 | 29.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,930 | 29.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,480 | 30.3% |
| Truck Driver | $59,580 | 31.3% |
| Firefighter | $49,760 | 37.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,590 | 37.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,840 | 39.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,690 | 40.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,840 | 41.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,180 | 50.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,410 | 54.2% |
| Cashier | $30,400 | 61.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,330 | 61.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waukesha?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $636 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $315,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $31,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waukesha, WI?
Renting in Waukesha costs a median of about $1,553 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Waukesha?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $62,120 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waukesha cheap or expensive?
Waukesha is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $90,418. It ranks 109th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waukesha?
The median homeowner in Waukesha pays $4,511 a year in property taxes, about 1.43% of the median home value.
Is Waukesha more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Waukesha?
The median home value in Waukesha is $315,500, about 3.5 times the typical yearly household income.
71,233 people live in Waukesha. Numbers are typical (middle) values.