Germantown, WI vs Waukesha, WI

Germantown, WI and Waukesha, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Germantown scores 102 while Waukesha scores 99 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Germantown is $1,310/month compared to $1,167/month in Waukesha — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waukesha has cheaper rent, Germantown actually has lower median home values ($356,700 vs $375,700).

Median household income in Germantown is $104,337 compared to $126,286 in Waukesha (-17.4%). Waukesha offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Germantown spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, more than the 11.1% in Waukesha.