Cost of Living Comparison for Milwaukee, WI
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Milwaukee's cost of living index is 90 — 10% cheaper than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Milwaukee local data
How Milwaukee Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Milwaukee stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $225,000 | $420,800 | -46.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,195 | $1,713 | -30.2% |
| Median Household Income | $56,400 | $74,580 | -24.4% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.80% | 1.10% | +63.6% |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 100 | -10.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Milwaukee Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 1,590,000
- Unemployment
- 4.6%
- Avg Commute
- 24 min
- Median Age
- 33.4
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 15.7x
- Annual Property Tax
- $4,050
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Wisconsin Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Milwaukee
What is the median home price in Milwaukee, WI?
The median home price in Milwaukee is $225,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Milwaukee?
Median monthly rent in Milwaukee is $1,195. That works out to $14,340/year, or 25% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Milwaukee affordable?
Milwaukee's cost of living index is 90 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $56,400/year and a median home price of $225,000, the price-to-income ratio is 4.0x. Milwaukee remains relatively affordable compared to many US metros.
What is the property tax rate in Milwaukee?
The effective property tax rate in Milwaukee is 1.80% of assessed value. On the median home of $225,000, that's roughly $4,050/year ($337/month).