Cost of Living in Waukesha
Waukesha's cost of living centers on genuinely above-average housing costs, offset by a real, disclosed property tax rate that undercuts Wisconsin's own state median.
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Learn moreAbove-average housing costs
Waukesha's home values carried a real, disclosed spread this pass, from Zillow's $406,111 average up to a separately-cited $514,800 figure -- genuinely above several other Wisconsin Tier A markets.
A genuine exception to Wisconsin's elevated property tax
Waukesha's own median effective property tax rate ran approximately 1.38%, slightly BELOW the Wisconsin statewide median of 1.43% -- a real, disclosed exception to the state's broader elevated-tax pattern.
A high dollar bill despite the favorable rate
Waukesha's median annual property tax bill still ran approximately $4,058 -- about $1,658 above the national median -- since Wisconsin's elevated home values drive the actual dollar figure upward even at a below-median rate.
Key takeaways
- Waukesha's housing costs run genuinely above several other Wisconsin Tier A markets ($406,111-$514,800).
- Waukesha's property tax rate (1.38%) runs slightly below Wisconsin's own state median (1.43%).
- The median annual tax bill ($4,058) still runs above the national median given elevated home values.
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