Waukesha

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Waukesha, WI

Area Guide

Delight in small-town living just outside the big city

Suburban Family-Friendly Welcoming Laidback Close-Knit Active

Welcome to Waukesha, Wisconsin, a historic community 18 miles west of Milwaukee. Originally known as "Spring City" for its mineral springs, Waukesha combines well-preserved architecture with contemporary living options. The downtown area showcases the impressive Waukesha County Courthouse complex, while the Fox River provides walking trails and outdoor recreation spaces. Current rental trends show moderate growth, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,219 monthly and experiencing a 2.9% annual increase, while two-bedroom units typically rent for $1,497.

Carroll University anchors the community's educational landscape, while the downtown district features independent shops and restaurants alongside regular community events. Housing options include apartment communities near The Shoppes at Fox River and residential properties in the Dunbar Oaks area. Frame Park offers riverside walking paths, and Minooka Park provides extensive trails for outdoor recreation. The city's Victorian-era architecture, stemming from its history as a mineral springs destination, remains visible throughout the historic district.

Explore the City

Downtown Waukesha is full of life during the Waukesha Farmer's Market.

Pewaukee Lake, right outside of Waukesha, is a big part of life for Waukesha residents.

Various architectural styles are found in Waukesha.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Waukesha, WI is $1,100 for a studio, $1,238 for one bedroom, $1,515 for two bedrooms, and $2,039 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Waukesha has increased by 2.0% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,238/month
717 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Waukesha, WI

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Waukesha, WI is 0.7% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Waukesha is 6.0% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,100 - $2,039. You can expect to pay 0.7% more for groceries, 7.2% less for utilities, and 3.6% more for transportation.

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Transportation

44

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

21

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

41

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Rose Glen Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

552 Students

Meadowbrook Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

256 Students

Banting Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

512 Students

Hillcrest Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

289 Students

Summit View Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

472 Students

Butler Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

811 Students

Central Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

582 Students

Horning Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

618 Students

West High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,194 Students

North High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,016 Students

South High

Public

Grades 9-12

890 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Waukesha

Houses for Rent in Waukesha

Property Management Companies in Waukesha, WI

Search Nearby Rentals

Nearby City Rentals

Nearby Neighborhood Rentals

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.