Which is cheaper: Waukesha or Madison?

Waukesha is cheaper with a cost of living index of 95.5, compared to Madison's index of 95.8. The cost of living difference is approximately 0.29999999999999716 index points.

Which city has higher salaries: Waukesha or Madison?

Waukesha has higher median household income at $81,480, compared to Madison's $70,484. The income difference is approximately $10,996 per year.

Which city is safer: Waukesha or Madison?

Waukesha is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to Madison's rate of 345 per 100,000. The national average is approximately 400 per 100,000.

Is it worth moving from Waukesha to Madison?

Moving from Waukesha to Madison will cost more in living expenses. However, salaries in Madison are lower by about $10,996. Consider using our salary equivalence calculator to determine if the move makes financial sense for your situation.

What is the cost of living difference between Waukesha and Madison?

Waukesha has a cost of living index of 95.5, while Madison has an index of 95.8. Madison is 0% more expensive than Waukesha. Housing is typically the biggest factor in this difference.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Waukesha vs Madison

Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.

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📊 Lifestyle Match

Visualizing the tradeoffs between Waukesha and Madison

📋 The Details

Line-by-line data comparison.

Category / Metric	Waukesha	Madison
Financial Overview
Median Income	$81,480	$70,484
Unemployment Rate	3%	3%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$352,500	$422,125
Price per SqFt	$209	$243
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$979	$1,182
Housing Cost Index	94.1	96.0
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	93.1	93.1
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$3.40
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	323.9	345.0
Bachelor's Degree+	41%	59%
Air Quality (AQI)	34	32

AI Verdict: The Bottom Line

Both cities have a similar cost of living (within 5%).

You could earn significantly more in Waukesha (+16% median income).

Rent is much more affordable in Waukesha (17% lower).

Analysis based on current data snapshot. Individual results may vary.

Expert Verdict

AI-generated analysis based on current data.

Moving from Waukesha to Madison: What You Need to Know

Deciding between Waukesha and Madison? This data-driven analysis breaks down the key differences in cost of living, housing, and quality of life to help you make the right choice.

1. Cost of Living Analysis

Both cities have a very similar cost of living. Your daily expenses in Waukesha will be roughly the same as in Madison.

2. Housing Costs

Real estate prices are comparable. You can expect to pay similar amounts for rent or a mortgage in both cities.

3. Income Potential

The median household income in Waukesha is $81,480, while in Madison it is $70,484.

Workers in Waukesha typically earn 15.6% more. Be sure to balance this against the cost of living.

4. Safety

Statistically, Waukesha has a lower violent crime rate.

The Verdict

Waukesha combines affordability with a strong quality of life score. It's an excellent choice for value seekers.

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