Waukesha, WI Homes for Sale
Waukesha Real Estate Stats
| Average Price | $522K |
|---|---|
| Lowest Price | $1 |
| Highest Price | $1.1M |
| Total Listings | 168 |
| Avg. Price/SQFT | $243 |
Property Types (active listings)
Search Waukesha, WI Real Estate & MLS® Listings
- All Listings
- Under $100,000
- $100,000 - $200,000
- $200,000 - $300,000
- $300,000 - $400,000
- $400,000 - $500,000
- $500,000 - $600,000
- $600,000 - $700,000
- $700,000 - $800,000
- $800,000 - $900,000
- Over $1,000,000
Explore Waukesha, WI Homes for Sale
Waukesha is the seventh most populous city in Wisconsin and is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. It is bordered by Wales to the west, Pewaukee and Brookfield to the northeast, and New Berlin to the southeast, covering 25.80 square miles and home to a population of approximately 71,158.
Waukesha earned the nickname "Spring City" in the late 1800s, when its mineral springs drew visitors from across the country. That heritage still shows in the older architecture, public parks, and street grid near the river.
What Types of Homes You'll Find in Waukesha
Waukesha has the widest housing range of any community in the county. The market splits roughly into four groups:
| Home Type | Typical Areas | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Victorian, Tudor, and Craftsman | Downtown, near Carroll University, Five Points | Older lots, character details, walkable to restaurants and the Fox River |
| Mid-century ranches and Cape Cods | East Waukesha, North side | Mature trees, established neighborhoods, mid-range pricing |
| 1990s and 2000s subdivisions | West and southwest Waukesha | Larger floor plans, attached garages, family-oriented streets |
| New construction | Outer edges, near Highway 164 | Modern layouts, newer schools nearby, builder warranties |
Condos and townhomes appear throughout the city, with the heaviest concentration near downtown and Carroll University. Victorian and Tudor homes can be found in the older neighborhoods near downtown, mid-century ranches and Cape Cods in established subdivisions. Larger single-family homes with bigger lots tend to sit in the city's western and northern sections. For ranch buyers specifically, our Waukesha County ranch homes page filters the full county inventory by style. For new builds, see Waukesha County new construction.
The average price for a home in Waukesha is $502.000, though this varies depending on property type and lot size. Condos start around $250,000 on the low end and can range up to $680,000 for shared homes on larger lots. Single-family homes tend to go for $200,000 to $900,000, with larger estates going for over $1,000,000.
Neighborhoods in Waukesha
Waukesha is made up of six core neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics, amenities, and available housing.
- Downtown Waukesha is the historic and cultural hub of the city, featuring local dining and nightlife options, riverfront access, and community events like the Waukesha Farmers Market.
- Five Points is a popular neighborhood within the downtown core, home to locally owned coffee shops, boutique shopping, and art galleries.
- Carroll District is built around Carroll University, Wisconsin’s oldest post-secondary institution, and features historic residential architecture, a walkable main mall and campus quad, a music center, and a multi-purpose sports stadium.
- East Waukesha is an established residential neighborhood that provides residents with quick access to I-94 and the neighboring Brookfield, along with outdoor amenities at parks such as Minooka Park.
- West Waukesha is characterized by master-planned subdivisions featuring larger single-family homes and more modern builds. This neighborhood is in close proximity to Highway 164 and Lake Country communities.
North Waukesha features a mix of older homes and newer construction. This neighborhood features retail corridors and direct highway access to the Waukesha County Expo Center and the Waukesha County Airport (Crites Field).
How Waukesha Compares to Lake Country Lake Communities
Buyers often weigh Waukesha against the lake towns to the west. Here's how the two stack up:
| Factor | Waukesha | Lake Country Lake Towns (Delafield, Hartland, Oconomowoc) |
|---|---|---|
| Price per square foot | Lower across most price tiers | Higher, with a clear waterfront premium |
| Commute to downtown Milwaukee | 20 to 25 minutes | 25 to 40 minutes |
| Lakefront access | Limited (Fox River frontage only) | Direct frontage on major lakes available |
| Downtown amenities | Full-service city with restaurants, shopping, university | Smaller walkable downtowns with concentrated dining |
| Typical lot size | Mostly under half an acre | Often half an acre to two-plus acres |
| Inventory volume | Higher and more consistent | Lower, with tighter waterfront supply |
If you want urban walkability, more home for your money, and a shorter commute, Waukesha tends to win. If lake access or larger lots matter more, the Lake Country communities are the stronger fit. Our team handles both, so you can compare in the same conversation.
Contact Lake Country Listings for more information about real estate in Waukesha.
Waukesha Schools
Waukesha is served by the Waukesha School District. It is one of the larger districts in the state and includes 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, and five charter schools, including a STEM Academy and Engineering Preparatory Academy.
Schools in Waukesha include:
- Banting Elementary
- Bethesda Elementary
- Hadfield Elementary
- Hawthorne Elementary
- Heyer Elementary
- Hillcrest Elementary
- Lowell Elementary
- Meadowbrook Elementary
- Prairie Elementary
- Randall Elementary
- Rose Glen Elementary
- Summit View Elementary
- Butler Middle School
- Horning Middle School
- Les Paul Middle School
- Saratoga STEM Middle School
- Waukesha North High
- Waukesha South High
- Waukesha West High
- eAchieve Academy
- Waukesha Academy of Health Professions
- Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy
- Waukesha STEM Academy
- Waukesha EAST
Things to Do in Waukesha
Waukesha offers its residents a range of outdoor recreation and community events along with specialty shopping and local dining options.
The Fox River Riverwalk winds through the center of the city and connects to Frame Park, where locals can enjoy the Formal Gardens, an open-air amphitheater, and paddleboat rentals. Minooka Park offers all-season recreation, including biking, swimming, cross-country skiing, and sledding. Families often frequent the Retzer Nature Center and Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium in West Waukesha.
Downtown Waukesha features boutique and specialty shopping options, a range of locally owned restaurants, and a healthy coffee culture in the Five Points area. Major retail options can be found at The Shoppes at Fox River and Galleria West.
Additionally, the downtown area hosts a farmers market, GuitarTown festival, and a weekly summer street festival called Friday Night Live featuring live music, food trucks, and local vendors.
Common Waukesha activities include:
- Walking the Fox River Riverwalk and Frame Park
- Exploring the Retzer Nature Center and Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium
- Browsing downtown street festivals and the farmers' market
- Visiting the Waukesha County Fair
- Shopping at Galleria West
Location and Area Access
Waukesha is bordered by Wales, Pewaukee, Brookfield, and New Berlin, covering 25.80 square miles and home to approximately 71,158 residents.
Downtown Milwaukee is a 20 to 25-minute drive from most parts of Waukesha via the I-94 E. The Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Elmbrook in neighboring Brookfield is 10-15 minutes driving distance for most parts of the city, with Carroll University a 5 to 10-minute drive away. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is a 25 to 30-minute drive away.
Nearby destinations within easy reach include:
- Carroll University (5-10 minutes)
- Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Elmbrook (10-15 minutes)
- Galleria West shopping center (15 minutes)
- Milwaukee County Zoo (15-20 minutes)
- Fiserv Forum and American Family Field (20-25 minutes)
- Downtown Milwaukee (20-25 minutes)
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (25-30 minutes)
What to Know Before Buying in Waukesha
Older housing stock requires inspection. Many homes in the downtown and university areas date to the early 1900s. Knob-and-tube wiring, original plumbing, and foundation issues are not uncommon. A thorough inspection is worth every dollar.
Water source varies. Most Waukesha homes connect to city water, but properties on the outer edges may run on private wells. The city completed a switch to Lake Michigan water in 2023, so older softener systems may need adjustment.
Inventory turns faster than in lake towns. Waukesha typically sees more active listings at any given time than the smaller lake communities. Well-priced homes in the popular school zones still move quickly, often within a week.
Property taxes vary by ward. Tax rates differ across the city depending on school district, fire district, and municipal services. Always pull the specific tax bill for any home you're considering.
Waukesha FAQs
What types of homes are available in Waukesha, WI?
Waukesha offers more housing variety than any other community in Waukesha County. You'll find historic Victorian and Tudor homes in the older neighborhoods near downtown, mid-century ranches and Cape Cods in established subdivisions, and newer construction on the city's outer edges. The price range stretches from entry-level condos and starter homes through executive properties on larger lots. Carroll University's presence supports a steady market for smaller homes and condos in walkable areas. Larger single-family homes with bigger lots tend to sit in the city's western and northern sections. Our team can pull current inventory across any price point or style, and we know which streets hold value over time.
How does Waukesha compare to Lake Country lake communities?
Waukesha gives you more home and more city amenities for the money than the lake communities to the west. Towns like Delafield, Hartland, and Oconomowoc carry a waterfront premium that drives prices higher, even for non-lakefront properties. Waukesha sits closer to Milwaukee, has a denser downtown with restaurants and shopping, and offers a wider range of housing styles. The tradeoff is lake access. If being on or near water is your priority, the Lake Country communities make more sense. If you want urban walkability, a shorter Milwaukee commute, and better price-per-square-foot, Waukesha is usually the stronger fit.
What school district serves Waukesha homes?
The School District of Waukesha covers most homes within Waukesha city limits. It's one of the larger districts in the state and includes multiple elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools (Waukesha North, Waukesha South, and Waukesha West). Some homes on the western edge of the city fall into the Kettle Moraine or Mukwonago districts instead, so always confirm boundaries before making an offer. The district also runs STEM Academy and Engineering Preparatory Academy as charter options. School zoning can affect both pricing and resale, so we walk you through the specifics for any home you're considering.
What's the commute from Waukesha to Milwaukee?
The drive from Waukesha to downtown Milwaukee runs about 20 to 25 minutes off-peak via I-94 east. Rush hour can stretch that to 35 or 40 minutes, particularly during winter weather or summer construction. Many residents also commute to the Brookfield and Wauwatosa employment corridors, both of which sit closer at 10 to 15 minutes. Waukesha has limited public transit, so most households need at least one vehicle. The city is well-positioned for hybrid work, with quick highway access in three directions and a 30-minute drive to General Mitchell International Airport. Home prices in Waukesha often reflect this commute advantage.
Are there waterfront homes in Waukesha?
True waterfront homes are rare within Waukesha city limits. The Fox River runs through the city, but most of its frontage is parkland or commercial use rather than residential. A handful of homes back to small ponds or the river in specific subdivisions. For lakefront living, most buyers look at the Lake Country lakes just west of Waukesha. Pewaukee Lake is the closest major lake at about 10 minutes north, with Okauchee, Nagawicka, and Oconomowoc Lakes sitting 15 to 25 minutes west. Our team handles both the city market and lakefront properties, so we can show you both worlds in one trip.
What neighborhoods in Waukesha are most popular?
The downtown and Five Points area draws buyers who want walkability, restaurants, and historic character. The Carroll University area suits investors and households wanting an older home near campus. East Waukesha contains established mid-century neighborhoods with mature trees and larger lots. West Waukesha is where most newer subdivisions and executive homes sit, with quick access to Highway I-64 and the lake communities. North Waukesha has a mix of older homes and infill construction at lower price points. Each area has its own price profile and buyer type, so the right neighborhood depends on what matters most to you, whether that's commute, schools, lot size, or walkability.
Why work with Lake Country Listings if I'm buying in Waukesha?
Our team has worked the Waukesha County market for over 20 years, including the city itself. We know the neighborhoods, the school zone quirks, the price ranges, and which streets hold value over time. We also know how Waukesha compares to the lake communities, so if you're undecided between city and lake life, we can show you both with the same agent and the same call. As the #1 producing real estate team in Lake Country, we bring relationships with listing agents, builders, and local trades that help you move faster when the right home appears. JJ Hausmann founded the team and continues to lead it from our Delafield office.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Waukesha?
Average home prices in Waukesha are $502.000, though this varies depending on property type and lot size. Condos range from $250,000 on the low end and can range up to $680,000 for shared homes on larger lots. Single-family homes tend to go for $200,000 to $900,000, with larger estates going for over $1,000,000.
Is Waukesha a good place for families?
Yes. Waukesha is regarded as a good place for families thanks to its large school system, which includes five charter schools, a STEM Academy and an Engineering Preparatory Academy, access to a number of major parks and community events, and proximity to many amenities and attractions in town and in neighboring cities.
What things are there to do in Waukesha?
Waukesha residents enjoy a mix of outdoor recreation, community events in the downtown area, and a variety of shopping and dining options. Key attractions include the Fox River Riverwalk, the Retzer Nature Center and Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium, the Waukesha County Fair, and the Galleria West shopping center.
Start Your Waukesha Home Search
Use the listings above to browse current Waukesha inventory, or contact our team to set up a custom search. If you're weighing Waukesha against the lake communities, our buyer specialist can walk you through both options in one call.