Waukesha, WI vs Hales Corners, WI: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Hales Corners, WI has a modeled overall cost index 0.3% lower than Waukesha, WI.

Waukesha, WI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,535 / month
Hales Corners, WI · modeled 2BR rent
$1,630 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Waukesha, WI and Hales Corners, WI using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

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Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $18.06/month in Hales Corners, WI

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $149,783 in Hales Corners, WI

Regional cost estimates: Waukesha, WI uses Milwaukee, WI. Hales Corners, WI uses Milwaukee, WI. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 0.3%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$18.06
Savings
Annual Impact
$217
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Waukesha, WI

Population:8K
Cost Index:
82.7
100 = national average
Typical Home:$376K

Hales Corners, WI

Population:8K
Cost Index:
82.4
100 = national average
Typical Home:$379K

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Waukesha, WI

The Badger State

8K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 8K residents.

Hales Corners, WI

The Badger State

8K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 8K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Waukesha, WI vs Hales Corners, WI

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 0.3%
Waukesha, WI
$1,844
Hales Corners, WI
$1,839
Difference
$5.31
less
Other
↓ 0.3%
Waukesha, WI
$1,712
Hales Corners, WI
$1,707
Difference
$4.93
less
Transportation
↓ 0.3%
Waukesha, WI
$1,499
Hales Corners, WI
$1,495
Difference
$4.31
less
Groceries
↓ 0.1%
Waukesha, WI
$1,072
Hales Corners, WI
$1,071
Difference
$1.54
less
Healthcare
↓ 0.1%
Waukesha, WI
$804
Hales Corners, WI
$802
Difference
$1.16
less
All Utilities
↓ 0.1%
Waukesha, WI
$568
Hales Corners, WI
$567
Difference
$0.82
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,180
To$1,250
↑ $70.00
1 Bed
From$1,285
To$1,360
↑ $75.00
2 Bed
From$1,535
To$1,630
↑ $95.00
3 Bed
From$1,890
To$2,010
↑ $120
Waukesha, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,220–$1,350/mo

Hales Corners, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,360–$1,360/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Waukesha, WI
$7,482
Monthly in Hales Corners, WI
$18.06
Difference

Home Values

Waukesha
Hales Corners
$376K
Median Value
$379K
↑ +4.7%
YoY Change
↑ +7.5%
↑ +40%
5-Year Change
↑ +37.6%
$345K - $406K
Price Range
$379K

Homes in Hales Corners are 1% more expensive than Waukesha

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Waukesha, WI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Wisconsin State Tax
Effective: 5.9%
$8.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.6%
$45.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,678/month
$104.1K

Hales Corners, WI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Wisconsin State Tax
Effective: 5.9%
$8.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.6%
$45.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,678/month
$104.1K

Additional Tax Information

Waukesha, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%
Property Tax:1.8%

Hales Corners, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%
Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Waukesha
Hales Corners
43 Good
Air Quality
43 Good
68.6%
Good Air Days
68.6%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
13 days
Heat Days >95°F
13 days
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
13 days
Heat Days >95°F
13 days

Before moving from Waukesha, WI to Hales Corners, WI

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Hales Corners, WI for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Waukesha, WI. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Waukesha to Hales Corners moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Hales Corners, WI by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Waukesha, WI vs Hales Corners, WI

How do the cost estimates for Waukesha, WI and Hales Corners, WI compare?

Hales Corners, WI has a modeled overall cost index 0.3% lower than Waukesha, WI. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Waukesha, WI, the model estimates $149,783 in Hales Corners, WI. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Waukesha, WI and Hales Corners, WI?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,535/month in Waukesha, WI and $1,630/month in Hales Corners, WI. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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