2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Madison, WI vs Waukesha, WI

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Highlights
Are people in Waukesha older or younger than people in Madison?
- The Median Age in Waukesha is 4.5 years older than in Madison.

Are housing costs cheaper in Waukesha or Madison?
- Waukesha housing costs are 15.2% less expensive than Madison housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Waukesha or Madison?
- The average commute for residents of Waukesha is 2.8 minutes longer than it is for residents of Madison.

Things to do in Madison?
Madison, Wisconsin is a vibrant city with a unique mix of culture and history. Take a stroll through State Street and explore the city's many art galleries, bookstores and some of the best restaurants in the Midwest. Visit University of Wisconsin-Madison for some stunning architecture and inspiring scientific research, or take in an outdoor concert at Breese Stevens Field. With its beautiful lakeshore backdrop, lively farmers markets, and incredible cultural events,Madison is an ideal place to live and visit!

Things to do in Waukesha?
Waukesha, Wisconsin is a vibrant city located in the Midwest United States. Home to attractions such as Fox River Park and Frame Park visitors can enjoy outdoor activities and nature when visiting Waukesha. There are also plenty of museums, galleries, and performance venues such as the Carroll University Center for the Arts and the Waukesha Civic Theatre. For entertainment, visitors can explore downtown shopping districts and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music clubs. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Waukesha has something for everyone!

 Madison, WIWaukesha, WIUnited States
 Population  Unlock71,307329,725,481
 Median Income$70,466  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3638.4
 Avg. Home Price$337,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.43  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Madison    78 Reviews

Unfortunately, a number of these reviews are politically based. Madison remains the only shining star in Wisconsin’s economy. The economy is broadly based, with  More

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Have been living in Madison for almost 3 years. It’s very safe, ppl generally friendly and for a town of its size it has fair number of good restaurants and interesting  More

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Lacks balance and zero accountability.   More

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Reviews for Waukesha    7 Reviews

I lived in waukesha for 37 years. It's home, it's where I grew up but it's a bit of a dump. They're trying hard to make it nice but its just not that great of a place to  More

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Over 12 years ago

I lived in Waukesha in 2006 while on a contract position for a precast design company. I found Waukesha to be a very enjoyable place to live. It is a very place to live  More

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Over 16 years ago

Waukesha is a small city, 65K population, with the amenities of a larger town. Its access to library, daily shopping, mainline restaurant fare and outside activity is  More

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