Waukesha, WI Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Waukesha, WI: What You Need to Know

Waukesha is located in southeastern Wisconsin, 18 miles west of Milwaukee. Fox River flows through Waukesha, which earned the nickname of Spring City for its many springs and good-tasting water.

The Local History

The Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk people originally lived in the area. In 1834, Morris D. Cutler founded Prairie Village. The name changed to Prairieville and then Waukesha, the Anglicized version of the name of a local Potawatomi leader.

Waukesha became a village in 1852, then a city in 1896. In the late 19th century, Waukesha attracted many visitors for its water, which they believed had healing power. The city became a manufacturing hub for bottled water, dairy products, iron, and steel. 

The Local Culture

Waukesha’s heritage as a resort town was shaped by its abundant spring water. At some point, there were about 60 springs in the city. People traveled from far and wide to sample the water. Businesses bottled and sold the water as a cure for dyspepsia, diabetes, and other ailments. The boom ended when the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in 1906, prohibiting manufacturers from making any health claims without scientific proof. Today only about 10 springs still exist. 

The Cost of Living in Waukesha

Waukesha is small (population: 72,299) but packs a punch in terms of quality of life. The city’s cost of living rate and housing costs are 3.5% and 4.4% higher than the national average. The good news is, food cost is 40% lower than the national average. The median gross rent in the city is $613. Wisconsin’s progressive income tax rate ranges from 3.86% to 7.65%. The state levies 5% to 5.6% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

As a Milwaukee suburb, Waukesha has everything suburbanites want – laidback pace, proximity to a big city, and quaint charm. Locals rave about Waukesha’s premier summer event, Friday Night Live, held downtown. If you prefer to live outside of Waukesha, Elm Grove and Brookfield are a short drive. Both communities have great schools. Elm Grove residents love its strong sense of community while Brookfield gets kudos for its easy access to lakes and parks.

The Local Weather and Climate

Waukesha can sometimes turn into a winter wonderland as it averages 43 inches of snow per year, much more than the U.S. average of 28 inches. On Dec. 1, 2006, a blizzard brought a foot of snow within a few hours. The city gets about 35 inches of rain annually, close to the national average of 38 inches. It doesn’t get much sun, just averaging 189 sunny days a year versus the national average of 205 sunny days.