Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Waukesha, WI

    Is Waukesha a good place to live?

    Watch Waukesha

    Waukesha ranks #23 of 35 Wisconsin cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (45/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.2% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $286,600
    +7.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,183
    per month
    Household income
    $81,651
    median
    Unemployment
    2.9%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Waukesha

    The median home value in Waukesha is $286,600 and median rent is $1,183 a month, against a median household income of $81,651. Homes cost about 3.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Waukesha crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Wisconsin the 2025 rate was 245 violent and 1,033 property crimes per 100,000 people — #45 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Waukesha, WI

    Waukesha has about 70,779 residents, 2.9% unemployment and 29% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Waukesha with

    Waukesha vs MilwaukeeWaukesha vs MadisonWaukesha vs Green BayWaukesha vs KenoshaWaukesha vs RacineWaukesha vs AppletonWaukesha vs Eau ClaireWaukesha vs Oshkosh

    More: Where to move in Wisconsin · Best counties in Wisconsin

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report