Cost of Living in West Allis, WI

Population 59,588 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

69
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in West Allis stay well under national norms: a median home value of $192,000 against median household incomes of $69,685 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Wisconsin.

West Allis sits roughly 5 miles southwest of Milwaukee — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 11% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 63
Rent 77

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

About the Cost of Living in West Allis

The median home value in West Allis is $191,700 — 37% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,012/month, 23% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,685/year is 7% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, 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 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, West Allis has a cost of living index of 69 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$191,700
37% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$263,439
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,012/mo
23% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,363/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.8x
Favors buying
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 54.8%
Renter-occupied 45.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,012
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,626/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
22.8 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.0%
Carpooled
6.3%
Public transit
3.6%
Walked
1.4%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
8.6%

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
$69,685
7% below avg
Per Capita Income
$39,423
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
18% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Labor Force Participation
66.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.0%
Graduate degree 7.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39
Male median age 38
Female median age 39.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.4°F
Avg Low
41.3°F
Annual Precip
34.6"
Annual Snowfall
48.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313444556777828074614836
Low °F 172029384858656456453323
Precip" 1.791.692.203.863.544.383.403.653.162.782.241.88
Snow" 14.911.86.72.10.00.00.00.00.00.32.510.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
250
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
18
Public schools
8,020
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in West Allis, WI?

West Allis has a cost index of 69 (100 = national average). It is 31% below the national average.

What is average rent in West Allis, WI?

The median gross rent in West Allis is $1,012 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in West Allis?

The median home value in West Allis is $191,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in West Allis?

The median household income in West Allis is $69,685 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in West Allis, WI?

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

Is West Allis, WI affordable?

Yes, West Allis is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 69 — about 31% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in West Allis?

West Allis has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

West Allis at a Glance

Population
59,588
Median Income
$69,685
Home Value
$191,700
Median Rent
$1,012/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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