Cost of Living in Waterford, WI

Population 5,627 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

100
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Waterford sits on the smaller end of the Wisconsin city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Waterford sits roughly 25 miles southwest of Milwaukee — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 82% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 103
Rent 97

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Waterford

The median home value in Waterford is $312,700 — 3% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,278/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $80,380/year is 8% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 58.7°F and lows of 39.7°F. Overall, Waterford has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$312,700
3% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$424,511
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,278/mo
3% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 76.1%
Renter-occupied 23.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,278
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,892/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.4 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.2%
Carpooled
3.1%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
10.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$80,380
8% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,290
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
52% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.0%
Labor Force Participation
71.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.3%
Graduate degree 9.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.5
Male median age 40.7
Female median age 46.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.7°F
Avg Low
39.7°F
Annual Precip
31.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313545576979848275634937
Low °F 161928374757626153433222
Precip" 1.191.072.033.633.523.693.353.563.362.902.051.53

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
68%
Good air days/yr
200
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
203
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,785
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waterford, WI?

Waterford has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.

What is average rent in Waterford, WI?

The median gross rent in Waterford is $1,278 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waterford?

The median home value in Waterford is $312,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Waterford?

The median household income in Waterford is $80,380 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waterford, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Waterford is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Waterford, WI affordable?

Waterford is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 100 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Waterford?

Waterford has average high temperatures of 58.7°F and average lows of 39.7°F. Annual precipitation is 31.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Waterford at a Glance

Population
5,627
Median Income
$80,380
Home Value
$312,700
Median Rent
$1,278/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
58.7°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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