Living in Wausau, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Wausau · Census data 2020–2024
Wausau has 39,996 residents with a median age of 38.2. The median household income is $64,389 (17% lower than the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $167,900, the median rent is $1,010/month.
Wausau at a glance
- Population
- 39,996
- Median age
- 38.2State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $64,389State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $167,900State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $1,010/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 57.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.9%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Wausau a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 37% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the Wisconsin median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Wausau
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Wausau the median home value is $167,900, 50% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,010 per month, which is 28.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,250 a month in housing costs.
Wausau median household income
The median household income in Wausau is $64,389 and the income per person is $35,957. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Wausau: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 18,718
- Owner-occupied
- 57.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 42.4%
- Vacant
- 5.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1963
- Average household size
- 2.22
Wausau demographics
- Population
- 39,996
- Median age
- 38.2
- Under 18
- 22%
- 65 and older
- 19.4%
- Households
- 17,625
- Foreign-born
- 7.6%
- Veterans
- 5.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Wausau ›
Education in Wausau
30.9% of adults 25 and older in Wausau have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 10.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Wausau
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 14.3%
- Drive alone
- 71.6%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 2.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.7%
Wausau vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau | 39,996 | $64,389 | $167,900 | $1,010 |
| Schofield | 2,120 | $65,583 | $154,000 | $926 |
| Rib Mountain | 7,289 | $94,294 | $255,900 | $1,290 |
| Rothschild | 5,600 | $88,261 | $203,600 | $970 |
| Weston | 15,749 | $78,207 | $229,300 | $1,024 |
| Maine | 2,602 | $110,721 | $277,500 | $962 |
| Marathon City | 1,422 | $89,519 | $198,200 | $853 |
| Kronenwetter | 8,395 | $115,044 | $273,300 | $1,125 |
| Mosinee | 4,498 | $73,479 | $156,100 | $1,091 |
More for people moving to Wausau
Wausau ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Wausau: FAQ
What is the median household income in Wausau, WI?
The median household income in Wausau is $64,389, 17% lower than the Wisconsin median of $77,485 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Wausau?
The median home value in Wausau is $167,900, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Wausau?
The median gross rent in Wausau is $1,010 per month, about 28.3% of household income.
Is Wausau, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 37% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the Wisconsin median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 14.6%.
What is the median age in Wausau?
The median age in Wausau is 38.2 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Wausau?
The average commute to work in Wausau is 15 minutes; 14.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Wausau?
The unemployment rate in Wausau is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Wausau?
30.9% of adults in Wausau have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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