City profile
Eau Claire, WI
Arts-and-music river city in western Wisconsin.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
15°F
Summer avg
72°F
Sunny days / yr
185
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$270,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,888
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
92
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- State income tax (top)
- 7.65%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 5.72%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 78/100
Top hazards: Cold wave, Hail, Strong wind
Nearest major airport
85 mi to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 51% Democratic / 47% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
70,322
Growth since 2019
+3.1%
Median age
32.9
Residents 65+
16.8%
Median household income
$67,395
Income growth since 2019
+21.5%
Black household income
$56,289
Home ownership
54.4%
Poverty rate
14.3%
Poverty rate, 65+
6.8%
Race & ethnicity: Black 1.6% · White 85.5% · Hispanic 2.9% · Asian 5.4% · Other 4.6%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
168 · 49% below the national average
Property crime
1,792 · 15% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Eau Claire Police Department. State average: violent 245, property 1,033.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- Music and arts scene
- River trails
- Affordable
Trade-offs
- Very cold winters
- Far from a major airport
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.