Retiring in Eau Claire, WI

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

80°/11°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$320,964

Housing (Typical Value)

165

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

5 of 5

Healthcare (Hospital Rating)

Is Eau Claire Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 69,274, Eau Claire offers a smaller-city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Mild summers
Lower housing costs
Lower violent crime
Strong hospital access
Moderate city size
Low wildfire risk
Low earthquake risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Higher property crime

Potential advantages. The average June through August high is 80°F. The typical home value is $320,964, 14% below the $371,774 US median. Median gross rent is $971 per month, 31% below the $1,400 per month US median. The reported violent crime rate is 165 per 100,000, 54% below the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The nearest hospital is Mayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire Hospital, 0.3 miles away. Its CMS quality rating is 5 of 5. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to wildfire and earthquake.

Potential tradeoffs. The reported property crime rate is 1942.4 per 100,000, 10% above the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)80°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)11°F

Annual snowfall54"

Annual precipitation32.8"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$320,96414% below the $371,774 US median

Median gross rent$971/mo31% below the $1,400/mo US median

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate165 /100,00054% below the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate1942.4 /100,00010% above the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate100.2 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalMayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire Hospital (0.3 mi)

Hospital quality★★★★★ (5 of 5)

Primary care accessStrong (705 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index8.6/20 (Below Average)

Population & City Size

Population69,274Classified as a smaller city

Elevation874 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively Moderate

HurricaneN/A

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeVery Low

Ice stormsRelatively Moderate

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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