Madison vs Waukesha
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Waukesha has an edge
Waukesha currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$448,398.49
Median Rent
$1,817.16/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
20.6
Property Tax RateTIE
1.85%
Price Change (1Y)
+2.6%
Price Change (5Y)
+13.3%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$321,584
Median Home Price
$475,409.53
Median RentBETTER
$1,594.32/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.8
Property Tax RateTIE
1.85%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+4.7%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+23.5%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$308,071
Key Differences
Home Prices
Madison's median home price of $448,398.49 is lower than Waukesha's $475,409.53 by 6%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Madison costs $1,817.16/mo compared to $1,594.32/mo in Waukesha—a difference of $222.84/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.