salaryRent is higher than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Most homes (77.4%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 63.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $79,520 a year. That is $38 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 148 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waunakee?
Share of households by yearly income. 51.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waunakee
| Size | Waunakee | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,399 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,312 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,022 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waunakee overall?
Everyday prices in Wisconsin overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Waunakee, so the Wisconsin figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Waunakee
Life in Waunakee
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waunakee?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,592 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $515,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $51,590 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waunakee, WI?
Renting in Waunakee costs a median of about $1,988 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Waunakee?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,520 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waunakee cheap or expensive?
Waunakee is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.7% of the typical household income of $135,050. It ranks 148th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waunakee?
The median homeowner in Waunakee pays $7,899 a year in property taxes, about 1.53% of the median home value.
Is Waunakee more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Wisconsin are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Waunakee?
The median home value in Waunakee is $515,900, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
15,687 people live in Waunakee. Numbers are typical (middle) values.