Fitchburg, WI vs Waukesha, WI

Waukesha is moderately more affordable than Fitchburg, with a 13.1% lower cost of living index. Fitchburg scores 105 compared to 93 for Waukesha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fitchburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fitchburg is $1,302/month compared to $1,183/month in Waukesha — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukesha is more affordable at $286,600 median vs $389,400.

Median household income in Fitchburg is $85,420 compared to $81,651 in Waukesha (+4.6%). Fitchburg does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fitchburg spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Waukesha.