Median rent is 33% lower in Waukesha ($1,219/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Waukesha, where the median home runs $315,500 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Waukesha ($83,837 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Waukesha is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.7 against 112.6 — about 15% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Waukesha, WI.
Cost of living verdict
Waukesha is 15% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.7 in Waukesha vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Waukesha, WI
How much would you need to earn in Waukesha, WI to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Waukesha, WI
$63,699
You could earn $11,301 less (15% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
New York
New York
Waukesha
Wisconsin
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Waukesha — median rent of $1,219/mo versus $1,821/mo in New York, a 33% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $315,500 in Waukesha — 59% more expensive.
Metric
New York
Waukesha
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Waukesha
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 46.0) but not yet for Waukesha.
Pick Waukesha if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.7 vs 112.6).
Pick Waukesha if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,219/mo median).
Waukesha is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.7 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 15% lower in Waukesha.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $1,219/mo in Waukesha, WI. Waukesha, WI has the lower rent by about 33%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY and $83,837 in Waukesha, WI. Waukesha, WI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $84,932 in Waukesha, WI (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
