Living in Brookfield, WI
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Schools and More

Thinking of moving to Brookfield, WI? Explore our complete guide to living in Brookfield, covering local cost of living, top-ranked schools, job growth and the best neighborhood amenities.

Located in Waukesha County just west of Milwaukee, Brookfield, WI, is a high-growth commercial hub with great shopping, huge parks and a love of the arts. From catching world-class performances at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts to grabbing a scoop of frozen custard at Kopp’s, living in Brookfield hits the absolute sweet spot between suburban luxury and Milwaukee metro access. Just 15 miles west of downtown Milwaukee, this thriving city of 42,730 residents offers an elevated lifestyle defined by pristine master-planned neighborhoods, an expansive greenway network and upscale shopping. Homes here offer strong long-term value (median home value: $425,471), appealing to healthcare and corporate professionals, retirees and growing families looking for an area to call home with safe streets, top-ranked public schools and endless weekend dining.

Top Reasons to Move to Brookfield, WI:

• High-End Retail and Delicious Dining: Life in Brookfield is a dream for foodies and shoppers. The city is home to The Corners of Brookfield, an outdoor shopping and lifestyle center with boutique shopping and popular patio dining at Hollander and BelAir Cantina, plus Brookfield Square Mall. Local foodies can pick from a full menu of restaurants, including farm-to-table dining at ParkSide 23, upscale steaks at Mr. B’s, brunch at Mimosa or a classic Wisconsin treat at Kopp’s Frozen Custard.
• Excellent Education: Education is a cornerstone of life in Brookfield. Residents are zoned for Elmbrook School District, the best district in Wisconsin, which has consistently ranked among the top 100 districts in the entire country. Local public schools like Brookfield Central and Brookfield East High Schools are also nationally acclaimed for their state test scores, college readiness and advanced STEM academies. Additionally, standardized test scores, student-to-teacher ratios and college-readiness metrics like average ACT scores sit well above state and national averages.
• Ready for Business: Beyond its peaceful suburbs and excellent academics, Brookfield is a major economic engine in Southeast Wisconsin. Anchored by corporate campuses along Bluemound Road and Executive Drive, the city is home to major employers in the financial, technology and healthcare sectors, allowing professionals to pursue high-paying careers close to home.
• It Isn’t All Work and No Play: Beyond the classroom and office, there are plenty of ways to have fun around town. Outdoor lovers have plenty of room to explore – the City of Brookfield manages more than 1,800 acres of park sites and open space. Spend an afternoon walking along the Greenway Trail System or swimming at Fox Brook Park’s sandy beaches, where you can also paddleboard or soak up the sun. Families flock to Wirth Park to enjoy playgrounds, sports courts, ice skating in the winter and the diving board, slides and 50-meter pool at Wiberg Aquatic Center. The arts are important, too. Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is located inside Mitchell Park and hosts an outdoor summer concert series, theater productions and fine arts classes. Explore The Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum, a preserved 19th-century Greek Revival home that offers a look into Waukesha County’s history, or laugh at Milwaukee Improv.  
• Commuting Is Easy: Getting around town and the region couldn’t be easier. Located directly along Interstate 94, US-18 (Bluemound Road) and Capitol Drive, commuters have a direct 15-minute drive to downtown Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.