Janesville, WI vs Waukesha, WI

Janesville is moderately more affordable than Waukesha, with a 13.1% lower cost of living index. Janesville scores 81 compared to 93 for Waukesha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waukesha can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Janesville is $1,037/month compared to $1,183/month in Waukesha — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Janesville is more affordable at $209,700 median vs $286,600.

Median household income in Janesville is $71,664 compared to $81,651 in Waukesha (-12.2%). The higher salaries in Waukesha partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Janesville spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Waukesha.