City · 71,233 residents · Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha, Wisconsin
In Waukesha, a typical home is worth $315,500 and typical rent is $1,219 a month. Compared with all of Waukesha County, typical household income is 21% lower, the typical home value is 21% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 17 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $311,948 to $419,895.
Typical rent
$1,475a month
▲ 5.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,108 to $1,475.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Waukesha is in Waukesha County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Waukesha County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
59% of households in Waukesha own their home, against 76% in Waukesha County.
2
The typical household income in Waukesha is $83,837,21% less than in Waukesha County as a whole ($106,076).
3
The typical home in Waukesha is worth $315,500,21% less than in Waukesha County as a whole ($398,200).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Waukesha
What homes there are in Waukesha, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
United States
Kind of home: Waukesha and its comparisons
Measure
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
United States
Detached house
51%
69%
66%
61%
Attached house
8%
6%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
12%
5%
9%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
29%
19%
17%
19%
Mobile home
1%
1%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Waukesha, 5 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Waukesha County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
United States
Year built: Waukesha and its comparisons
Measure
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
United States
Before 1960
22%
20%
33%
26%
1960–1979
30%
29%
24%
24%
1980–1999
31%
30%
22%
25%
2000–2009
12%
12%
13%
14%
2010 or later
6%
10%
9%
11%
In Waukesha, half of the homes were built before 1979; in Waukesha County, before 1981.
In Waukesha, 17% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 53% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 69% in Waukesha County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K4%
$100K–$200K11%
$200K–$300K31%
$300K–$500K46%
$500K–$750K8%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M1%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Waukesha and its comparisons
Measure
Waukesha
Under $100K
4%
$100K–$200K
11%
$200K–$300K
31%
$300K–$500K
46%
$500K–$750K
8%
$750K–$1M
1%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA loan limit for Waukesha County is $541,287, and about 92% of owner-occupied homes in Waukesha are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $5005%
$500–$99924%
$1,000–$1,49946%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,263
$1,500–$1,99918%
$2,000–$2,4995%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Waukesha and its comparisons
Measure
Waukesha
Under $500
5%
$500–$999
24%
$1,000–$1,499
46%
$1,500–$1,999
18%
$2,000–$2,499
5%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
Measured against HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,263), about 53% of rented homes in Waukesha cost less.
With a mortgage
$1,889 a month
Waukesha County: $2,144 a month
Without a mortgage
$772 a month
Waukesha County: $781 a month
Owners with a mortgage
71%
Waukesha County: 65%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Waukesha is $1,889 a month, less than in Waukesha County ($2,144); without one, $772.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Waukesha+48%
Waukesha County+41%
Wisconsin+48%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Waukesha+29%
Waukesha County+30%
Wisconsin+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Waukesha+29%
Waukesha County+22%
Wisconsin+26%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Waukesha and its comparisons
Measure
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
United States
Typical home value
+48%
+41%
+48%
+53%
Typical rent
+29%
+30%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
+29%
+22%
+26%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Waukesha rose 48%; in Waukesha County, it rose 41%.
Rents in Waukesha rose at about the same pace as in Waukesha County: 29% since 2015–2019, against 30%.
While home values in Waukesha changed +48% and rent +29%, the typical household income rose 29%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Waukesha and its comparisons
Measure
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
United States
Rental vacancy
3.2%
4.0%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.3%
0.5%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.27
2.42
2.33
2.53
Drive alone
77%
76%
74%
69%
Carpool
6%
5%
7%
9%
Public transit
1%
0%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
2%
1%
3%
3%
Work from home
13%
17%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Open rentals in Waukesha look like those in Waukesha County: the rental vacancy rate is 3.2%.
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.27 on average, against 2.42 in Waukesha County.
To get to work, 77% of workers in Waukesha drive alone; in Waukesha County, 76%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Waukesha?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Waukesha, worth $315,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 39% of the typical household income in Waukesha, which is $83,837 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $117,667 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Waukesha County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Waukesha. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $11,043 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,746
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$309,785
Total interest
$445,708
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,328 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,956 a month
Tight
$1,956 to $2,515 a month
Hard
more than $2,515 a month
Your payment · 39%
Compared with the typical household income in Waukesha ($83,837 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,099
Property tax
$376
Home insurance
$132
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$140
You need at least $11,043 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,746; principal and interest $2,099.
The city and its county
Waukesha and Waukesha County
Waukesha is in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Waukesha
Map of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, with Waukesha marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Other cities with a page
Waukesha's own numbers
Typical home value
$315,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,219
Typical yearly household income
$83,837
Households that own their home
59%
Effective property tax rate
1.43%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Waukesha County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,263
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+52%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.3%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Waukesha County.
A typical home in Waukesha is worth $315,500: 21% below the county and 18% above Wisconsin. With the typical household income in Waukesha ($83,837 a year), a typical home costs 3.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Waukesha3.8 years
County3.8 years
Wisconsin3.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Waukesha County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Waukesha County rose 85% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Waukesha County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Waukesha County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.7% +3.7% 2016
2017: +4.8% +4.8% 2017
2018: +5.0% +5.0% 2018
2019: +4.3% +4.3% 2019
2020: +2.1% +2.1% 2020
2021: +8.7% +8.7% 2021
2022: +13.7% +13.7% 2022
2023: +10.2% +10.2% 2023
2024: +6.1% +6.1% 2024
2025: +5.4% +5.4% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Waukesha County, Wisconsin and the United States
Period
County
Wisconsin
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.4%
+5.4%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+52%
+57%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+85%
+96%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Waukesha next to Waukesha County, Wisconsin and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Waukesha$315,500
County$398,200
Wisconsin$266,500
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Waukesha$1,219
County$1,356
Wisconsin$1,087
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Waukesha$83,837
County$106,076
Wisconsin$77,485
United States$80,734
See the full table
Waukesha next to Waukesha County and Wisconsin
Measure
Waukesha
Waukesha County
Wisconsin
U.S.
Typical home value
$315,500 ▼21% below the county
$398,200
$266,500
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,219 ▼10% below the county
$1,356
$1,087
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$83,837 ▼21% below the county
$106,076
$77,485
$80,734
Households that own their home
59% ▼17 points below the county
76%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,511
$4,554
$3,792
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.43% ▲0.29 points above the county
1.14%
1.42%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
49% ▲4 points above the county
45%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Waukesha County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Waukesha
For a typical $315,500 home in Waukesha, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Waukesha's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,746a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$11,043
Cash to close
$20,508
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $140
Conventional, 5% down$2,688a month
Down payment
$15,775
Cash to close
$25,240
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $150
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,217a month
Down payment
$63,100
Cash to close
$72,565
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,509a month
Down payment
$47,325
Cash to close
$56,790
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Waukesha
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,746
$11,043
$309,786
7.18%
FHA MIP · $140
$20,508
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,688
$15,775
$299,725
7.18%
PMI · $150
$25,240
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,217
$63,100
$252,400
7.18%
None
$72,565
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,509
$47,325
$268,175
8.18%
None
$56,790
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Waukesha is $1,219 a month: 10% below the county. In Waukesha, 49% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Waukesha County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,263 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $24.29 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Waukesha County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$985
$18.94
$39,400
1 bedroom
$1,060
$20.38
$42,400
2 bedrooms
$1,263
$24.29
$50,520
3 bedrooms
$1,553
$29.87
$62,120
4 bedrooms
$1,664
$32.00
$66,560
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Waukesha
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Waukesha has 3 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,370 in 53189 to $1,520 in 53188.
3 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Waukesha County ($1,263).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 3 ZIP codes of Waukesha, beside the one for Waukesha County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,370 in 53189 to $1,520 in 53188. 3 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Waukesha County ($1,263).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,263
Lowest: $1,370 (53189)Highest: $1,520 (53188)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Waukesha, fiscal year 2027.
53186
$1,120
$1,200
$1,430
$1,760
$1,880
53188
$1,190
$1,280
$1,520
$1,870
$2,000
53189
$1,070
$1,150
$1,370
$1,680
$1,800
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
53186 $1,430$1,760
53188 $1,520$1,870
53189 $1,370$1,680
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Waukesha when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 18 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Waukesha. These are the largest.
Scattered Sites1306 Camden Way, Waukesha 53186146 low-income homes · Run by Waukesha Housing Authority · Average payment: $827 a month · Average wait: 21 months · Homes at several sites(262) 542-2262
Willow Park1017 Delafield St, Waukesha 53188146 low-income homes · For families(262) 548-9786
East Terrace Apartments801 N East Ave, Waukesha 53186130 low-income homes · For older adults(262) 544-9757
Saratoga Heights120 Corrina Blvd, Waukesha 53186115 low-income homes · Run by Waukesha Housing Authority · Average payment: $388 a month · Average wait: 58 months(262) 542-2262
Berkshire at Kensington1800 Kensington Dr, Waukesha 53188177 homes, 84 low-income · Studio: 8 · 1 bd: 97 · 2 bd: 72 · In service since 2010 · For older adults(484) 797-8987
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Waukesha County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Waukesha or Waukesha County. The ones below are statewide in Wisconsin: they work in Waukesha the same as in the rest of the state.
Wisconsin state agency second mortgage for the down payment: up to 6% of the price, over 10 years with a monthly payment and the same rate as the WHEDA first mortgage.Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
$7,500 loan from the Wisconsin state agency for the down payment and closing costs, over 30 years, at 0% and with no monthly payments, alongside a WHEDA mortgage; limited funds, first come, first served.Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Waukesha or Waukesha County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Waukesha and all of Waukesha County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Waukesha?
The typical home value in Waukesha is $315,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Waukesha County it is $398,200.
How much does it cost to rent in Waukesha?
Typical rent in Waukesha is $1,219 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Waukesha County is $1,263.
What is the FHA loan limit in Waukesha?
Waukesha uses the FHA limit for all of Waukesha County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Waukesha?
The typical homeowner in Waukesha pays $4,511 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.43% of the home’s value; in Waukesha County, the rate is 1.14%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Waukesha?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Waukesha County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
